Check out this mornings Scoreline Report from a busy weekend of action
GAA
We had a bumper weekend of action on KCLR with eight live games brought your way over the weekend
In Carlow, Éire Óg have been crowned Senior football champions after defeating Tinryland in yesterdays decider at Netwatch Cullen Park. Its the first time in three years that they have been crowned champions. They will now represent Carlow in the AIB Leinster Club championship against the Laois champions on the weekend of 22nd October.
In other football news in Carlow, Clonmore have made it back to back titles after winning the Junior decider last year they have now backed that up winning the Intermediate title this year defeating St Patrick’s in Saturday nights final at Netwatch Cullen Park, they had six points to spare over a gallant St Pats team who never gave up right to the final whistle. In the Junior decider also played on Saturday it was victory for St Mullins over Fighting Cocks, this was a tense tight affair and only a single point seperated the sides at the final whistle. That now brings to an end the adult football championships in Carlow for 2023.
In Kilkenny the Senior hurling quarter finals were played at the weekend, the tie of the quarter finals was the meeting of Dicksboro vs Shamrocks Ballyhale. It was a fantastic game that had everything, drama, great scores, fantastic skill and late drama. The champions who are going for a record sixth title in a row had to endure a nervy few minutes at the end as referee Owen Beehan had gave The Boro a late penalty only to change his mind after chatting to his umpires, they did get a twenty metre free but it was saved and Ballyhale progressed to the semi-finals where they will meet James Stephens and Bennettsbridge will meet O Loughlin Gaels in the other semi-final after both teams won their respective quarter finals.
The draws were also done for the Junior quarter finals which you can see below, James Stephens will face Dicksboro in the final of section b on Saturday afternoon to see who gets a spot in this years Junior semi-finals.
Carrickshock retained their Intermediate status after defeating O Loughlin Gaels in yesterdays relegation playoff in John Locke Park. Richie Power guided his side to safety after a thrilling game that saw plenty of scores and late goals. Carrickshock looked to be in trouble after loosing Kevin Farrell late in the first half and O Loughlin Gaels had their purple patches but they just couldn’t put Carrickshock away. They battled on, made a couple of changes and got goals at the right time, helped by the unselfishness of Eoghan O’Neill. They were five points ahead with time virtually up but O Loughlin Gaels never gave up the fight and right at the death got a late goal to leave just two points between the teams, but it was too late and after four years at the Intermediate grade they will now drop to junior for the 2024 season.
James Stephens were crowned Minor A county champions after defeating Dunnamaggin at UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday, the game also made history as Vivienne Holmes became the first female official to take charge of a male county final in Kilkenny.
Glenmore were crowed Minor B champions after they had a great Saturday winning the U13 final in the morning and then the Minor B in the afternoon beating Danesfort in the decider.
Camogie
Dicksboro have been crowned senior league champions after they beat Piltown in this year’s decider at a wet Tom Walsh Park on Saturday afternoon last. Last years county final runners up had two points to spare of the team they beat in last years semi-final.
- Piltown vs Clara
- Dicksboro vs St Brigids
- James Stephens vs Barrow Rangers
- Windgap vs Tullaroan
Last years champions Thomastown find themselves battling to retain their senior status as they will contest the relegation playoff semi final after Tullaroan beat them in the first round of the championship yesterday. The relegation playoff draw was as follows:-
- St Martins vs Thomastown
- Conahy vs Young Irelands
O Loughlin Gaels have been crowned Intermediate league champions after they beat Rower Inistioge yesterday in Graignamanagh. The city side had a player advantage for most of the match after the Rower were reduced to fourteen players early in the first half.
They will now play in the quarter finals at the weekend after the draw was completed last night
- Rower Inisioge vs Winners of Emeralds-St Annes/Carrickshock
- O Loughlin Gaels vs Glenmore
- St Lachtains vs Danesfort
- Mooncoin vs Ballyhale
Ryder Cup
Europe have won back the Ryder Cup after beating the USA sixteen and half to eleven and half, Tommy Fleetwood ensured the victory for Europe in what has been a demolition of the USA team over the weekend in Rome. Europe went into the final day needing just four and a half points from the ten singles games to win back the famous cup. Rory McIlroy was on fire winning four points over the weekend for the team, Shane Lowry also silenced his critics after a brilliant display over the weekend. Europe will next hold the Ryder Cup in Ireland in 2027 when the famous tournament will be played at Adare Manor in Limerick.
Rugby
South Africa have one foot in the quarter finals of this years Rugby World Cup after picking up a bonus point win over Tonga. The defending champions bounced back after defeat to Ireland to go top of Pool B for the moment, Ireland will face Scotland at the weekend where they know victory will see them top the pool and go into the quarter finals as group winners. Australia have given themselves an outside chance of getting to the knockout stages after defeating Portugal by twenty points, they will need to beat Fiji in their last game to progress.
Soccer
Rangers football club have parted ways with manager Michael Beale after a 3-1 loss to Aberdeen at the weekend see them seven points behind Celtic. In a statement released by the club on social media it reads,
RANGERS Football Club can confirm it has parted company with men’s first-team manager, Michael Beale.
The Rangers board would like to put on record their thanks to Michael and his staff for their efforts since joining the club last November.
Results this season have fallen short of what everyone connected to Rangers would expect.
Therefore, the decision was reached today to terminate the contract of the manager, as well as the contracts of coaches Neil Banfield, Damian Matthew, Harry Watling and Jack Ade.
The club is pleased to announce that Steven Davis will lead the interim management team.
The team will consist of former Rangers player and hugely experienced coach Alex Rae, former Rangers player and current coach Steven Smith, coach Brian Gilmour, and goalkeeping coach, Colin Stewart.
Rangers Chairman, John Bennett, commented: “I’d like to thank Michael for his dedicated work since he re-joined the club as manager last November.
“It is clear that results have fallen well short of the board’s, Michael’s and our supporters’ expectations.
“The search process for the new manager is already underway. I wish Steven Davis and the interim management team every success – they will remain in charge for as long as it takes to make the right appointment.”
