KEVIN CASSIDY: Less obsession, more laughter


WE have barely had time to breathe after the epic league finals with championship action starting with a bang last weekend. The standout result last weekend was undoubtedly Cavan’s massive win over neighbours Monaghan, which I don’t think a lot of people would have predicted. Monaghan struggled during this year’s league campaign. I think a lot […]


CHC hand Woods a one match ban


By Michael McMullan MONAGHAN have been hit the blow ahead of their Ulster Championship visit of Cavan with the news of Andrew Woods’ unsuccessful appeal of his red card in their defeat to Monaghan. Woods was sent off by referee Niall Cullen for striking but requested a hearing which took place on Thursday night. The […]


Derry eye final spot


15By Michael McMullan GETTING to the National League final is on Derry’s radar ahead of Sunday’s showdown with reigning champions Mayo in Castlebar. With much debate surrounding the varying levels of value put on a league title, Derry selector Paul McFlynn feels his side’s focus has to be on a final berth. “There is no […]


JOE BROLLY: A PhD in Gaelic football


DUBLIN’S opening two boring defeats in the league prompted me to ask the question, “Why won’t they kick the ball in to Con O’Callaghan?” For those games, he was a peripheral presence, tracking back and tackling round the middle third, taking a hand-pass at the last minute in a crowded defence. What a waste. Like […]


Short turnaround isn’t ideal says Dooher


By Niall Gartland BRIAN Dooher is mindful of the quick turnaround facing his players before Saturday evening’s Division One league clash at home to Mayo. Tyrone felt the brunt of a disappointing one-point to defeat to Galway on Sunday, amplifying the significance of their second game against Connacht opposition in successive weekends. The Red Hands […]


JOE BROLLY: Boring Dublin


I WATCHED the Derry game in Smyths in Ranelagh with Sean Muldoon from the Loup. Three Englishmen were in the booth with us and were intrigued by the game. We explained the rules to them – three points for a goal, a point for a point, the solo, the bounce, the tackle. They could not […]


JOE BROLLY: Won’t somebody please think of the audience?


AFTER 29 minutes of the Mayo Senior Football final on Sunday, co-commentator John Maughan said, “All I can do is apologise to the viewers for this really terrible spectacle. I’m not sure it’s going to get any better.” At half time, hundreds of people upped and left, leaving empty rows of seats in the middle of […]


Rule of the week: The ball on the ground


A RECENT addition to Gaelic Life is the Rule of the Week and here is this week’s example. By Michael McMullan MAYO fans were on their feet. Jordan Flynn rifled a close-range shot to the net in the first half of Sunday’s defeat to Dublin. But it didn’t count. At the time, it appeared a […]


JACK MADDEN: Salthill success on the cards for Galway


YOU’D wonder what went through Shane Walsh’s head as the ball hung high in the dark grey Carrick-on-Shannon sky. It hadn’t been his day. The magic moment you come to expect slipped from his grasp. Rip up the script. Less than 24 hours previously, Toulouse defeated Ronan O’Gara’s Stade Rochelais to win the French Top14 title. […]


Monaghan revel in greater freedom


By Michael McMullan MONAGHAN minors revelled in the freedom granted by Mayo’s style of play in Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter-final suggests manager Dermot Malone. The Farney side recovered from an early Mayo goal to run out deserving winners, setting up a semi-final clash with Kerry as they aim to book a first final spot since in […]