It’s a wet start to proceedings across Carlow and Kilkenny for this Monday morning but there’s plenty happening in the world of sport locally, so let’s check the headlines for KCLR and Scoreline.ie.
Tougher tests ahead for Kilkenny
Beginning with Gaelic games and Kilkenny are one win away from an Allianz Hurling League semi-final following yesterday’s win over Dublin. The Cats had 11 points to spare over the Blues who finished the game with 14 men after Paddy Smyth was sent off late on. All eyes now are on next weekend’s home clash with Waterford, another big test for Kilkenny that manager Derek Lyng seems to be relishing. You can hear Lyng’s thoughts on the latest Scoreline Extra podcast.
Liam Kearns
On a sad note, tributes are being paid to Offaly football manager Liam Kearns, who passed away suddenly last night, leaving many in the GAA community in shock. The Kerry native took charge of Offaly’s footballers last summer, having previously managed Limerick, Laois and Tipperary. In a statement, Offaly GAA said they were ‘devastated’ to learn of Kearns’ passing, and extended their sympathies to his family.
Football & Camogie roundup
Locally last night there was one game in the preliminary stages of the new-look Carlow junior football league with Old Leighlin and Asca in action at a wet Molaise Park. Leading 6 points to 2 at half time, five from the boot of Mark Brennan helped Old Leighlin to an 0-11 to 0-6 win in the wind-up.
In camogie, Kilkenny minors had a 1-11 to 2-7 win over Tipperary. Having trailed by four points with three minutes left, a Laura Doherty goal proved pivotal in starting the championship with a win. The county’s under 16A side beat Wexford 2-9 to 0-12 with the under 16b team picking up a comprehensive 4-11 to 0-3 win over Laois. Carlow were also 4-6 to 1-14 winners over Derry in this year’s minor B championship yesterday.
Relegation woes, cup wins, Grand slam hopes
Kikenny’s stay in the top tier of the Leinster League has come to an end as they were relegated from Division 1A of the men’s competition on Saturday as a testing league season concluded. We’ll find out in a fortnight if Tullow replace them in Division 1A as they find themselves one game away from winning Division 1B.
In cup action, Tullow women had a 36-7 win over Clondalkin in the first round of the Paul Flood Cup while Kilkenny women had a 19-17 win over Navan to book a place in the quarter-finals of the Paul Cusack Cup.
On the international stage, Ireland’s hopes of taking the triple crown and completing a grand slam in a world cup year remain on track following a 22-7 win over Scotland at Murrayfield yesterday. With a very tightly contested first half ending 8-7 to Andy Farrell’s side, Ireland found breathing room and two tries in the second half but missed out on a fourth try and a vital bonus point at the end of the game.
The win leaves Ireland four points clear of France with England to come this Sunday where they’ll need to better France’s result against Wales or go for the bonus point win to ensure a clean sweep for the first time since 2018. If it comes off, it would be Ireland’s fourth in history, the others being 1948 and that glorious 2009 win.
Quarter-finals beckon for Thomastown
Thomastown United are the first local team to book a place in the quarter-finals of this year’s Leinster Junior Cup. They met St. Paul’s Artane at United Park, with the game tied 3-3 at the end of normal time forcing penalties. Club man and one of our own here at KCLR, Paul Doyle had special praise for goalkeeper Jack Cullen in particular who saved Artane’s penultimate penalty.
Elsewhere, this year’s Pat Maher Shield final in Kilkenny will see Freebooters take on Bridge United next weekend. In Carlow, the quarter-finals of the Douglas Jewellers Carlow Cup have also been decided, with both Crettyard A & B teams drawing each other. Parkville United will play Ballymurphy, New Oak Boys take on Burrin Celtic, while Vale Wanderers go head to head with Kilree Celtic.
Get more on these stories across the day on air and online here at Scoreline.ie. We’ll also be recapping the action of the weekend with Martin Quilty on Full Time this evening just after the 6pm news.
