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CARLOW ENJOYED a very useful Divison 2 NHL campaign last year, beating Kerry, Down and Antrim in Dr Cullen Park as well as taking full points from Westmeath in Mullingar to collect sufficient points to finish fourth.

Though beaten by Laois in Portlaoise Carlow finished ahead of their neighbours on score difference. Alas, against the group's 'big two' Carlow were blitzed early as Offaly and Wexford romped to easy victories in Tullamore and Wexford Park.

The 2010 campaign starts next Sunday, the first of two Carlow visits to Ulster as Carlow take on Antrim, heading up again on March 14 when Down will be the hosts.

With a Dr Cullen Park clash against rejuvenated Westmeath sandwiched in between Carlow face a tough start and though Kevin Ryan's charges got the full six points from those three fixtures last year, a repeat, especially considering the away nature of the Ulster games, is a tall order.

However, let's take it one day at a time; first up Antrim in Belfast. And forget last Sunday's Walsh Shield match. This will be a much different prospect. Carlow have never beaten Antrim on Antrim soil, this would be a great time to start!

GEO BYRNE IN CROKER GEORGE 'Geo' Byrne, formerly of Palatine, was togged out in Croke Park last Saturday night, a sub on the Naomh Colm Cille team beaten by Blackrock of Limerick in the All-Ireland Club Junior hurling final.

The 40 year-old has been resident in Tyrone for some years now and actually hurled for the Red hand county against Carlow in the NHL some years ago.

A brother of Joe Byrne, who captained Palatine to the 2006 Carlow SFC, Geo's services were not called on and thus did not emulate the feat of the 20 Erin's Own men who saw action in the National Junior final four years ago.

George's club, popularly known as NCC, based in Coalisland and Clonoe are an exclusive hurling club in a football mad county.

He wasn't the only Carlow man togged out in Croker on Saturday, Ballinkillen's Patrick Murphy was a linesman for that Junior final.

Carlow referee David Hughes took charge of the UCD v NUIG Fitzgibbon Cup second round match in Belfield last week, a prestigious 'marking' for the Erin's Own, Bagenalstown 'whistler'.

NHL FIXTURES

Sunday, February 21: Carlow v Antrim, Belfast Sunday, February 28: Carlow v Westmeath, Dr Cullen Park Sunday, March 14: Carlow v Down, Ballycran/Newry Sunday, March 21: Carlow v Wexford, Dr Cullen Park Sunday, March 28: Carlow v Clare, Dr Cullen Park Sunday, April 4: Carlow v Kildare, Newbridge Sunday, April 18: Carlow v Laois, Dr Cullen Park Sunday, May 2: Final

[Corofin]

Football semi-final day in Club Championships

It's the turn of the footballers to settle their semi-finals in Parnell Park and the Limerick Gaelic Grounds respectively.

The line-up is:
Corofin (Galway) v St.Gall's (Antrim), Parnell Park, 2.30 (Live on TG4).
Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Clare) v Portlaoise (Laois), Gaelic Grounds, 2.30 (Deferred on TG4)

PORTLAOISE v KILMURRY-IBRICKANE

Portlaoise's defence has been extremely secure, conceding an average of 5.5 points against Mattock Rangers (Louth), Seneschalstown (Meath), Clara (Offaly) (not including abandoned game) and Garrycastle (Westmeath).

Kilmurry-Ibrickane are bidding to reach the final for the first time, having lost their previous attempt to Ballina (Mayo) in 2005. Portlaoise are in the semi-final for the seventh time, having won two and lost four of their previous six attempts. They last reached the final in 2005 where they lost to Ballina.

Kilmurry-Ibrickane saw off Dromcollogher-Broadford (Limerick), Stradbally (Waterford) and Kerins O Rahillys (Kerry) to win the Munster title before beating Tir Chonail Gaels (London) in the All-Ireland quarter-final. Remarkably, they didn't concede a goal in any of those games while they average giveaway was an incredibly low five points per game.

Paths to the semi-final:

Portlaoise 2-21 Mattock Rangers (Louth) 0-2
Portlaoise 3-12 Seneschalstown (Meath) 1-6
Clara 1-5 Portlaoise 0-7 (abandoned in the second-half due to bad weather)
Portlaoise 1-9 Clara 0-3 (re-fixture)
Portlaoise 1-9 Garrycastle (Westmeath) 1-5 (Leinster final)
Average for (not including abandoned game): 2-12; Average against: 1-3

Portlaoise Scorers (Not including abandoned game)
P Cahillane..........4-8 (1-0 penalty, 0-3 frees)
B Fitzgerald........2-13 (0-9 frees)
C Rogers.............0-6
P McNulty..........0-6
B Glynn..............1-2
Z Tuohy..............0-3 (0-1 free)
B McCormack....0-2
K Lillis................0-2
A Fennelly..........0-2
B Mulligan..........0-1
J Fennell..............0-1
B Smyth...............0-1
K Fitzpatrick......0-1
A Kelly................0-1
C Byrne...............0-1
R Maher.............0-1
***
Kilmurry-Ibrickane 0-11 Dromcollogher-Broadford (Limerick) 0-5
Kilmurry-Ibrickane 0-9 Stradbally (Waterford) 0-6
Kilmurry Ibrickane 0-7 Kerins O' Rahillys 0-6 (Kerry) (Munster final)
Kilmurry Ibrickane 1-4 Tir Chonail Gaels (London) 0-3 (All-Ireland quarter-final)
Average For: 0-9; Average Against: 0-5

Kilmurry-Ibrickane Scorers
O O'Dwyer.......0-7 (0-5 frees)
J Daly................1-3 (0-3 frees)
I McInerney.....0-6 (0-2 frees)
S Moloney...........0-5
P O'Dwyer........0-2
N Downes..........0-2
M Hogan...........0-1
E Coughlan......0-1
P O'Connor.....0-1
S Hickey...........0-1
J Daly...............0-1
E Talty.............0-1
Previous AIB GAA All-Ireland Club Championship Semi-Final appearances:

Portlaoise
1972 - Bellaghy (Derry) 1-11 Portlaoise 1-10
1977 - Austin Stacks (Kerry) 1-14 Portlaoise 2-6
1983 - Portlaoise 0-7 St. Finbarr's (Cork) 0-6
1986 - Burren 2-13 (Down) Portlaoise 0-6
1988 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon)1-9 Portlaoise 0-9
2005 - Portlaoise 0-8 Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) 0-7
Played 6; Won 2, Lost 4.

Kilmurry-Ibrickane
2005 - Ballina Stephenites (Mayo) 0-10 Kilmurry-Ibrickane 0-8

COROFIN v ST.GALL'S

It's Galway v Antrim in what promises to be a great contest in Parnell Park. Corofin, who won the All-Ireland title in 1998, are back in the semi-final for a second successive year, having lost to eventual champions, Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) last year.

This will be Corofin's fifth appearance in the semi-final, having won one and lost three of the previous four. This will be St.Gall's third appearance in the semi-final, having lost in 1983 and won in 2006 when they beat Nemo Rangers (Cork) by a point to reach the final. They lost the final to Salthill-Knocknacarra (Galway).

Corofin beat Glencar Manorhamilton (Leitrim) and Charlestown (Mayo) to reach this year's All-Ireland semi-final while St.Gall's recorded four wins to take the Ulster title beating Cavan Gaels, Pearse Og (Armagh), Clontibret (Monaghan) and Loup (Derry).
Paths to the semi-final:

Corofin 2-13 Glencar Manorhamilton (Leitrim) 0-9.
Corofin 2-14 Charlestown (Mayo) 0-7 (Connacht final)
Average for: 2.13.5; Average against 0-8.

Corofin Scorers
K Comer..............2-10 (0-9 frees)
M Farragher.......1-3
C McGrath..........0-3
J Canney..............0-3
G Sice..................1-0
R Steede...............0-2
S Monaghan........0-2
A Donnellan........0-1
A Burke...............0-1
A O'Donovan.....0-1
G Higgins...........0-1
***
St. Gall's 1-12 Cavan Gaels (Cavan) 1-10 (after extra-time).
St.Gall's 0-10 Pearse Og (Armagh) 0-8
St.Gall's 2-15 Clontibret (Monaghan) 0-11.
St. Gall's 0-16 Loup (Derry) 0-5 (Ulster final)
Average For: 1-13; Average Against: 0-10

St. Gall's Scorers

CJ McGourty............1-16 (0-11 frees)
Rory Gallagher........2-7 (0-2 frees)
K Stewart..................0-5
S Kelly.......................0-5
K Niblock..................0-5 (0-1 free)
Kevin McGourty......0-4
Kieran McGourty....0-3 (0-2 frees)
T O'Neill...................0-3
S Burke.....................0-2
A Gallagher..............0-1
A Healy.....................0-1
S Burns.....................0-1
Previous AIB GAA All-Ireland Club Championship Semi-Final appearances:

Corofin
1992 - Dr. Crokes (Kerry) 3-4 Corofin 1-5
1996 - Laune Rangers (Kerry) 0-8 Corofin 0-6
1998 - Corofin 0-11 Dungiven (Derry) 0-9
2009 - Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) Corofin 0-11

St.Gall's
1983 - Clan na nGael (Roscommon) 3-6 St.Gall's 2-8
2006 - St.Gall's 0-10 Nemo Rangers (Cork) 1-6

By Kieran Murphy
CARLOW hurling manager Kevin Ryan is looking for a big performance when his side opens their NHL Division 2 campaign at Casement Park in Belfast on Sunday.

"We see every game as a potential two points and that is the way to look at it," he said.

"I wouldn't be putting a figure on points saying we must get this and we must get that. It is how we perform. Obviously we have to pick up points and the priority is to survive in Division 2 and see how we can do after that. It is about performing and getting better after every game."

After the highs of the previous two years Carlow hurling followers will be anxious to stay in Division 2 as well but that success has upped the ante.

"Clare and Wexford will be extremely tough and would be seen as Division 1 sides. It is seeing what level of performance we can get against those sides. I wouldn't pick any one game as we could all be amazed at the end of the day where the points come from," opined Ryan.

However there is heartbreak for James Hickey who will be out for at least three league games. There are few hurlers in the county who love the game more than the Rangers captain and Ryan is aware of this.

"He loves hurling. He lives for it and does everything asked of him and more. It is an awful pity for him personally. He is a big loss.

"(He is) A great engine that would drive things on in the middle of the field but that is what a squad is all about.

"Thankfully we have the squad of players and there are players who are ready to take over.

"It could have happened later on in the year and he could miss championship and if we have him back for the end of the league and championship that is the best way to look at."

Fawl rues poor preparation

18-02-10



By Geoffrey Gillis


SUNDAY marks the start of the 2010 National Hurling League campaign, but sadly from a Tyrone point of view, it is the same old story with the team having little or no preparation for their opening Division Three joust with neighbours Donegal.

The scenes of celebration and success from winning the Lory Meagher Cup last July was seen as a platform to boost hurling within the Red Hand County but, as this weekends opening game drew nearer manager Tony Fawl was seriously pondering the future of the Tyrone Senior Inter County Team.

"Things are so bad at the minute that I can't even name a panel for the Sunday's match programme because I don't know who is going to turn up," Fawl lambasted.

"It is the same old story in Tyrone. Everyone has good ideas, but when it comes to commitment and putting these ideas into practice no one wants to take the responsibility."

Tony has put serious behind the scenes effort into getting to the core of the problem, but as yet he is still in limbo as to what the actual problems are. The Strabane man admitted several players have withdrawn from the panel because they are currently travelling abroad, while efforts to hold clear the air talks on Tuesday evening failed as only thirteen players turned up.

"Peadar McMahon and Tony Hughes are in Australia, while James Treacy is in Scotland. Damien Maguire and Declan McCabe have quit the County panel, but both men have not ruled out a return to County colours if the situation improves," Fawl said.

"We tried to hold a meeting on Tuesday evening to get to the bottom of it but only thirteen players bothered to turn up," he revealed before continuing "It was the same during training. Why should we be paying to provide food and refreshments for thirty people after sessions, when only a handful or turning up. It doesn't make sense. We held a challenge game against a team in Belfast, but had to borrow players to make up our numbers. Okay we will have the Naomh Colum Cille player back on board following their All-Ireland Club commitments"

Tony tried to draw on the positives of their return.

"At least they will have a decent level of fitness which will help us. Jackie Loughran from Armagh has agreed to come on board for the coming year, but given the current level of commitment from the players he will not be hanging around to long. It is a pity. I believe it is an honour to be asked to wear your county jersey, but again in Tyrone, we have the problems of club comes before county"

Fawl admitted the Tyrone County Board could be faced with the prospect of pulling the plug on the Tyrone seniors in 2010 if the situation doesn't improve. It is that bad. "We have given the players until Friday to make up their minds. Hopefully we will be able to field a team on Sunday against Donegal but it is not without any justification that we could be withdrawing the team from all competition this year," Tony declared.

"Donegal were hurt at their Lory Meagher defeat last year. They have been preparing away over the last couple of months with a view to Sunday's game and getting revenge. They have all the motivation needed going into this weekends game but from a Tyrone point of view I don't see the point of continuing if the players attitudes towards hurling doesn't improve."

[Limerick Senior Football Team:]

The Limerick Senior Football Team to play Longford this Saturday in Pearse Park, Longford (2.30pm) in the third round of the Allianz NFL, Division 4 has been confirmed.

The team shows three changes from the side that started against Carlow last weekend.  Mickey Ned OSullivan continues his policy of rotating the goalkeeping position, this week its Conor Ranahans turn between the posts instead of Brendan Moran, Shane Gallagher makes way for team captain Johnny McCarthy who missed last weeks game due to injury and John Galvin replaces Eoin Joy at mid-field.

Limerick will be hoping they can continue their unbeaten run before they take a three week break from NFL action.

Limerick Senior Football Team: Conor Ranahan, Mark ORiordan, Conor Mullane, Andrew Lane, Stephen Lavin, Johnny McCarthy (Captain), Pa Ranahan, James ODonovan, John Galvin, Padraig Browne, James Ryan, John Mullane, Ger Collins, Ian Ryan, Cormac Joyce-Power.

[Naomh Conaill out of Championship]

Donegal News

Naomh Conaill out of Championship





St Mary's Burren (Down) 1-12

Naomh Conaill (Donegal) 1-09


Naomh Conaill's participation in the Ulster U21 Club Football Championship came to an end after a fighting performance yesterday afternoon.

This was always going to be a big ask for the Naomh Conaill team who were fielding without Dara Gallagher who was injured in the first round of this competition and their other main striking threat Dermot Molloy forced to field with a broken bone in his hand among a long list of injuries on Leo McLoone(Snr's) team. However from the throw-in, Leo McLoone who was excused county duty to play, drove forward through the Burren defence and was denied an early goal by a last gasp tackle from the Burren goalkeeper. This early attack seem to spur the Burren men into life and they began to put some great passages of play together. Between the second and 11th minutes the Burren posted four unanswered points before another run by Leo McLoone in the 16th minute drew a free.

This was pointed by Dermot Molloy to get Naomh Conaill on the scoreboard. Naomh Conaill were now starting to put some good moves together but an off-the ball tackle on David Gallagher in the 18th minute resulted in him being replaced by Joseph Kennedy.

A free by Leo McLoone followed by two quick scores from the Burren men in the 21st and 22nd minutes left Naomh Conaill trailing by four points and with a mountain to climb. Naomh Conaill introduced Jamie Molloy to midfield and his strength began to pay dividends.

Stephen Molloy and Cathal Ellis in defence were now controlling their areas and with more possession Naomh Conaill were now on top.

A pointed free from Dermot Molloy on 29 mins brought Naomh Conaill within 3 points of the Down champions.

Then with the clock ticking down for the end of the first half, a long ball from Eoin Waide into the Burren goalmouth was spilled to the net by the Burren keeper under pressure from Seamus Corcoran. Having survived a patchy first half Naomh Conaill must have felt optomistic for the second. However the first score of the second half was posted by the Burren men. This was cancelled almost immediately by another Dermot Molloy point.

With the two teams swopping points again in the 8th and 10th minutes the game was now on a knife-edge and when Dermot Molloy hit a free in the 11th minute of the second half to put the Donegal men in front for the first time things looked good.

However three quick scores between the 13th and 18th minute by the Burren men put them two up. A good score by Seamus Corcoran in the 20th minute brought the Donegal men back within one point but immediately after this the Burren scored what was to be the defining score of this game. With Naomh Conaill pressing forward in search of the equaliser a long ball into space in front of the Naomh Conaill goal found the Burren number 13, Padraig Poland and after slipping his marker he slid the ball into the bottom right hand corner past Stephen McGrath. This put the Burren four points ahead. Naomh Conaill then mounted a concerted attack on the Down goal and quickly tagged on two points in the 25th and 27th minutes through Dermot Molloy and Seamus Corcoran.

But with Naomh Conaill pressing forward a quick counter attack saw the Down men score the games last point. Naomh Conaill were now camped in the Burren half but despite two close efforts the elusive goal needed would not come. Having survived a titanic struggle against Cloughaneeley last weekend and this bruising encounter today Leo McLoone Snr will have his work cut out to get his charges fit for the pending semi-final encounter against Four Masters in the delayed 2009 county championship.

Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath, Martin Gallagher, Ciaran Boyle, Stephen Molloy, Jamie Gallagher, Cathal Ellis, Brian Quinn, Leo McLoone(0-1f), Callum Waide, AJ Gallagher, Seamus Corcoran (0-2), Eoin Waide (1-0), David Gallagher, Dermot Molloy (0-6, 4f), Rory Boyle Subs: Jamie Molloy for Callum Waide, J Kennedy for David Gallagher)

St Mary's Burren: Cathal Murdock, Tony Fegan, Pauric O'Rourke, Redmond Hanna, Karl Maxwell, Ryan McGovern, David McEntee(0-2), Alan Higgins(0-1), Anton McArdle, Gavin Sands, Sean Murdock(0-2), Conor Toner, Padraig Poland(1-2), Gerard McCartan(0-1), Donal O'Hare(0-1), Subs: Donal Kane(0-1), Conaill McGovern(0-2)

[Dia Domhnaigh]

21-02-10 Dia Domhnaigh

All Ireland Senior Football Club Championship  Semi Finals:

Parnell Park 2-30pm Corofin(Galway) v St Galls(Antrim)     TG4
Referee: Cormac Reilly (An Mhí)
(E.T. if Necessary)

Gaelic Grounds 2-30pm Portlaoise v Kilmurry-Ibrickane(Clare)   Deferred TG4
Referee: Michael Duffy (Sligeach)
(E.T. if Necessary)

[13/02/10]

13/02/10 Dia Sathairn
All Ireland Junior Hurling Club Championship Final:
Croke Park Blackrock(Luimneach) 1-18 Naomh Colum Cille(Tír Eoghain) 0-09

All Ireland Intermediate Hurling Club Championship Final:
Croke Park St Galls(Aontroim) 0-10 St Lachtains(Cill Chainnigh) 3-17



14/02/10 Dia Domhnaigh
All Ireland Junior Football Club Championship Final:
Croke Park Castlegregory(Ciarraí) 1-14 Kiltimagh(Maigh Eo) 0-15   (After Extra Time)
Full Time: Castlegregory 0-12 Kiltimagh 1-09

All Ireland Intermediate Football Club Championship Final:
Croke Park Cookstown Father Rocks(Tír Eoghain) 1-07  Spa(Ciarraí) 0-08

All Ireland Senior Hurling Club Championship Semi-Finals:
Parnell Park Portumna(Gaillimh) 2-18 Cúchullains Dunloy(Aontroim) 0-12

Thurles Ballyhale Shamrocks(Cill Chainnigh) 0-19 Newtownshandrum(Corcaigh) 0-17

[(Saturday)]

20-02-2010 (Saturday)
National Football League
Round 3
Roinn IV

Ruislip 1.30pm Londain v Cill Mhantáin
Referee: Stephen McNamee (Tír Eoghain)

Pearse Park 2.30pm Longfort v Luimneach
Referee: Sean Carroll (An Iarmhí)

Dr Cullen Park 2.30pm Ceatharlach v Port Láirge
Referee: Brian O'Shea (Áth Cliath)

Carrick on Shannon 2.30pm Liatroim v Cill Chainnigh
Referee: Gerry McCarron (Muineachán)

An Clár - no match.

National Hurling League
Round 1
Roinn I
Thurles 7.30pm Tiobraid Árann v Cill Chainnigh Setanta Ireland
Referee: Barry Kelly (Iarmhí)



21-02-10 (Sunday)
National Hurling League
Round 1
Roinn I
Kilmallock 2.30pm Luimneach v Gaillimh
Referee: Cathal McAllister (Corcaigh)

Páirc Uí Chaoimh 2.30pm Corcaigh v Uíbh Fhailí
Referee: Michael Wadding (Port Láirge)

Walsh Park 2.30pm Port Láirge v Áth Cliath TG4 (Deferred)
Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Corcaigh)

Roinn II
Portlaoise 2.30pm Laois v Cill Dara
Referee: Declan O'Driscoll (Luimneach)

Cusack Park 1.30pm An Clár v An Dún
Referee: Michael Haverty (Gaillimh)

Cusack Park 2.30pm Iar Mhí v Loch Garman
Referee: Tony Carroll (Uíbh Fhailí)

Casement Park 2.30pm Aontroim v Ceatharlach
Referee: Eamon Hassen (Doire)

Roinn IIIA
Ruislip 1.00pm Londain v An Mhí
Referee: Alan Kelly (Gaillimh)

Celtic Park 2.30pm Doire v Ciarraí
Referee: Ger Devlin (Ard Macha)

Crossmaglen 2.30pm Ard Macha v Maigh Eo
Referee: Owen Elliott (Aontroim)

Roinn IIIB
Clan na Gael Dundalk 2.30pm An Lú v Sligeach
Referee: Ray Mathews (Aontroim)

Omagh 2.30pm Tír Eoghain v Dún na nGall
Referee: Jim O'Rourke (Muineachán)

Swords 2.30pm Fingal v Cill Mhantáin
Referee: Dominic Connolly (Cill Chainnigh)

Ros Comáin - no match.

Roinn IV
Inniskeen 2.30pm Muineachán v Fear Manach
Referee: Declan Magee (An Dún)

Breffni Park 2.30pm An Cabhán v Liatroim
Referee: Ciaran Groome (Uíbh Fhailí)

Pearse Park 2.30pm Longfort v An Dún Theas
Referee: Tommy Ryan (Tiobraid Árann)

[(Saturday)]

13.02.2010 (Saturday)
National Football League
Round 2

Roinn I
Corcaigh 1-12 Ciarraí 0-12

Áth Cliath 1-11 Doire 0-07

Roinn II
An Dún 0-12 An Mhí 0-08

Tiobraid Árann 0-08 Cill Dara 1-17

Roinn III
Fear Manach 2-06 Ros Comáin 0-11

An Cabhán 1-08 Aontroim 2-13

Roinn IV
Luimneach 0-11 Ceatharlach 0-07



14.02.010 (Sunday)
National Football League
Round 2

Roinn I
Gaillimh 1-20 Muineachán 1-14

Tír Eoghain 1-11 Maigh Eo 1-12

Roinn II
Dún na nGall 3-11 Laois 0-05

Ard Macha 2-19 An Iarmhí 0-08

Roinn III
Loch Garman 1-14 Uíbh Fhailí 2-10

Sligeach 1-14 An Lú 2-10

Roinn IV
Cill Mhantáin 1-13 Liatroim 0-09

Cill Chainnigh 0-02 An Clár 4-18

Port Láirge 1-16 Londain 0-08

Longfort - no match.

Wednesday February 17th


2 00 PM Johnstown      University of Ulster Jordanstown v NUI Maynooth Padraig Mullan
2 00 PM DCU               Dublin City University  v Cork Institute of Technology Paul Finnegan
2 00 PM AIT GAA Pitch Athlone Institute of Technology  v Institute of Technology Sligo Derek Fahy
2 00 PM Mardyke         University College Cork  v G.M.I.T. TBC

'Johnstown' does turn out to be Jordanstown.

Cookstown Father Rocks 1-07 Spa 0-08

Sin é

Cookstown 1-06 Spa 0-08

1 minute injury time.

Cookstown 1-06 Spa 0-08