BloggerNow.com GAA Championship and League Weekend Match Recap: June 2009

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Galway - Tipperary Senior Hurling Challenge Match...

Galway 2-23 Tipperary 2-23


Galway got on with the job of preparing for the team's opening qualifier assignment against Clare at Cusack Park, Ennis in two weeks time. They had a senior hurling challenge Monday night (6/29) in Thurles, against Tipperary. The high scoring game ended up in a draw.

Galway started with three of the team that started against Kilkenny in the Leinster semi-final. At the interval Tipperary lead the Tribesmen 1-12 to 0-10. However, Galway started the second half well and goals form Alan Kerins and Joe Gantley gave them a boost. Benny Dunne scored 7 points for Tipperary on the evening, while Ger Farragher had 9 points for Galway.

Galway Team: James Skehill, Fergal Moore, Damien McClearn, Martin Ryan, Andy Coen, John Lee, Ger Mahon, Kevin Hynes (0-3), Eoin Forde (0-4), David Tierney (0-1), Kevin Hayes (0-1), Ger Farragher (0-9), Alan Kerins (1-0), Joe Gantley (1-0), Fergal Healy (0-3).

Subs: Damien Joyce for McClearn
Shane Kavanagh for lee
Eoin Lynch (0-1) for Hynes
Andy Smith (0-1) for Farragher

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Sunday, June 28, 2009

Dublin steamroll past Westmeath....

Leinster Senior Football Championship semi-final

Dublin 4-26 Westmeath 0-11


Dublin will now play Kildare in the Leinster SFC Final on July 12th.

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Galway sneak win over Sligo...

Connacht Senior Football Championship semi-final
Galway 1-13 Sligo 0-12


Galway are now into the Connacht Senior Football Championship Final, where they will face Mayo on 19 July.

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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Kildare roll past Laois....

Kildare 2-18 Laois 0-09

Kildare will now meet Dublin in the Leinster SFC Final on July 12th.

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Big win for Antrim....

Antrim 0-13 1-07 Cavan

Antrim reached their first Ulster SFC final in 39 years with a surprise win over Cavan at Clones.

Antrim will now meet All-Ireland champions Tyrone in the provincial decider, on July 19th in Clones.

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Friday, June 26, 2009

Kildare-Laois Leinster SFC semi-final Match Pick...

Leinster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final
Kildare v Laois
Saturday, 27 June at 7.00pm in Tullamore.


The Lilywhites are strong favourites to advance to the provincial decider, but they haven't forgotten what happened in 2005 when the sides last met in a Leinster semi-final. That day, they were well beaten by a strong Laois side.

Manager Kieran McGeeney has made one change to the Kildare starting XV that enjoyed a solid seven-point win over Wexford in the Leinster quarter-final. Fit-again Mikey Conway replaces Andrew McLaughlin (knee injury) at wing-back, with Emmet Bolton dropping back to corner-back. There was an injury doubt concerning Eamonn Callaghan, but he came through a full training session and will take his place at corner-forward.

Kildare Team:
T Corley, H McGrillen, M Foley, E Bolton, M O'Flaherty, B Flanagan, M Conway, D Flynn, D Earley, R Sweeney, P O'Neill, J Kavanagh, E Callaghan, A Smith, J Doyle


Seán Dempsey has named an unchanged Laois team ahead of Saturday's clash with Kildare. It will be the same fifteen that started the O'Moore County's quarter-final game against Louth. Pauric Clancy will anchor the attack, having scored a decisive 1-3 in the quarter-final, while Rory Stapleton and Ger Reddin, both of whom made Championship debuts last time out, will make the start again.

Laois Team:
M Nolan, C Ryan, M Timmons, R Stapleton, D Rooney, G Reddin, J O'Loughlin, P Clancy, K Meaney, B Quigley, B McCormack, P O'Leary, MJ Tierney, R Munnelly, D Kingston.


I think Kildare have shown to be a slightly better team so far in this year's championship and should get the win on Saturday. The winner will await the outcome of Sunday's Dublin-Westmeath semi-final clash.

Winner: Kildare

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Cavan-Antrim Ulster SFC semi-final Match Pick...

Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-final
Clones: Antrim v Cavan, Saturday 7pm
Referee: John Bannon


Come Saturday night, either Cavan or Antrim will have qualified for a rare final appearance. It's Antrim's first appearance at this stage since 2003 and their stunning victory over Donegal in the quarter-final was their first in Ulster since that win at the same stage over Cavan in 2003.

Cavan got to the Ulster final in 2001 when they were narrowly beaten by Tyrone whereas Antrim will be looking to bridge the 39-year gap since they last appeared in the provincial final. Cavan and Antrim will feel fully worthy of a place in Clones on Saturday evening after two excellent, hard-fought wins over Fermanagh and Donegal respectively.

The winner of this encounter will the opportunity to have a crack against the All-Ireland champions Tyrone in the Ulster final.


Cavan have had a slight edge on Antrim in recent times, beating them in the preliminary round last year and also recording a quarter-final replay win in 2005. However, matches between the two counties are always close.

Antrim boss Liam Bradley makes two changes from the win over Donegal, with Under-21 goalkeeper Peter Graham will come in, as expected, for the injured Sean McGreevy, who came off early in the victory over Donegal with a groin injury and was ably replaced by Graham. Kevin O'Boyle also takes his place from the start at corner-back in place of Dermot McCann after impressing when coming off the bench against Donegal. The McCann brothers Tomas and Michael should show form as they did against Donegal. There are plenty of other game performers in the Saffrons' line-up but creating chances could be a problem.

Antrim Team:
P Graham; C Brady, A McClean, K O'Boyle; T Scullion, J Crozier, J Loughrey; M McCann, A Gallagher; T O'Neill, K Brady, N McKeever; P Cunningham, S Burke, T McCann.


Cavan football manager Tommy Carr has named an unchanged starting XV for this match.
Despite having Micheál Lyng and handball champion Paul Brady available for selection now, Carr has decided they must settle for a place on the bench. Ciarán Gilligan will again anchor the midfield alongside Nicholas Walsh, while Martin Reilly will be partnered by Seánie Johnston and Seán Cullivan in the full-forward line.

Cavan Team:
J Reilly; M Hannon, D Sheridan, M Brides; J McCutcheon, E Keating, P O'Reilly; N Walsh, C Galligan; S Brady, R Flanagan, C Mackey; M Reilly, R Cullivan, S Johnston.


I think Cavan's form over Antrim in recent times should be just enough for them to progress to the Ulster SFC final.

Winner: Cavan

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Thursday, June 25, 2009

Technorati Blog Search...

I am associating my blog with Technorati.

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All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Qualifiers Phases 1 & 2...

The matches and venues are listed below:

Qualifiers Phase 1
Offaly vs. Cork Tullamore
Laois vs. Antrim Portlaoise

Note: Both games are scheduled for Saturday, July 4 @ 7:00 PM

Qualifiers Phase 2
Wexford v Limerick Wexford Park
Clare v Galway Cusack Park, Ennis

Note: Both games are scheduled for Saturday, July 11 @ 7:00 PM

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifiers Rd 1...

The matches are listed below, along with the venue. All games are scheduled for Saturday, July 4th @ 7:00 PM.

Donegal vs. Carlow (Ballybofey)
Monaghan vs. Armagh (Clones)
Meath vs. Waterford (Navan)
Wicklow vs. Fermanagh (Aughrim)
Wexford vs. Offaly (Wexford Park)
Louth vs. Tipperary (Drogheda)
Leitrim vs. Longford (Carrick-on-Shannon)
Down vs. London (Newry)

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GAA SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 Results Recap...

We are approaching the seventh week of the GAA SFC 2009, with the last of the provincial semi-finals taking place this weekend. Below is a recap of the results of the championship thus far in each of the provinces; along with the scheduled dates for the semi-finals and finals.

Connacht
May 10: Quarter-final: Mayo 2-19 New York 0-10, Gaelic Park.
May 24: Quarter-final: Galway 1-18 London 1-7, Ruislip.
May 31: Quarter-final: Roscommon 2-13 Leitrim 2-9, Carrick-on-Shannon.
June 20: Semi-final: Mayo 3-18 Roscommon 0-07, Castlebar.
June 28: Semi-final: Sligo v Galway, Markievicz Park.
July 19: Final


Ulster
May 17: Preliminary round: Fermanagh 0-13 Down 0-10, Enniskillen.
May 24: Quarter-final: Derry 1-10 Monaghan 0-10, Celtic Park.
May 31: Quarter-final: Tyrone 2-10 Armagh 1-10, Clones.
June 6: Quarter-final: Cavan 0-13 Fermanagh 1-9, Kingspan Breffni Park.
June 14: Quarter-final: Antrim 1-10 Donegal 0-12, Ballybofey.
June 21: Semi-final: Derry 0-07 Tyrone 0-15, Casement Park.
June 27: Semi-final: Antrim v Cavan, Clones
July 19: Final.


Leinster
May 17: First round: Louth 1-13 Carlow 1-11, Parnell Park.
May 24: First round: Wicklow 2-12 Longford 1-13; Kildare 1-16 Offaly 1-10 (Both in Portlaoise).
June 7: Quarter-final: Dublin 0-14 Meath 0-12, Croke Park.
June 13: Quarter-final: Kildare 2-12 Wexford 0-11, Dr.Cullen Park.
June 14: Quarter-finals: Westmeath 0-16 Wicklow 1-10 (after extra-time), Tullamore; Laois 1-15 Louth 1-11, Parnell Park.
June 28: Semi-finals: Kildare v Laois; Dublin v Westmeath.
July 20: Final, Croke Park.

Munster
May 24: Quarter-finals: Limerick 1-11 Tipperary 1-9, Thurles; Cork 2-18 Waterford 1-7, Dungarvan.
June 7: Semi-finals: Limerick 1-13 Clare 1-9, Ennis; Kerry 0-13 Cork 1-10, Killarney.
June 13: Semi-final (replay): Cork 1-17 Kerry 0-12 Kerry, Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
July 5: Final: Cork v Limerick, Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Galway-Sligo SFC Connacht Semi-final Match Pick...

The Tribesmen will be seeking revenge for the shock Connacht final defeat to the Yeatsmen in 2007. It was only Sligo's third-ever provincial success and was their first win over Galway since 1975.

Sligo is managed by former Galway player Kevin Walsh and have only beaten Galway five times in the history of the championship. Galway have beaten Sligo 25 times while there have been four draws. Galway are bidding to reach the Connacht final for the fifth successive year, having won in 2005 and 2008 and lost in 2006 and 2007.

Last Championship Clash
Sligo 1-10 Galway 0-12 (2007 Connacht final)
A great occasion for Sligo who won the Connacht title for the first time since 1975 when they held Galway off by a point in Dr. Hyde Park. Mark Breheny scored 0-4 while a cracking goal by Eamonn O'Hara was also crucial in Sligo's victory. Padraic Joyce scored 0-5 for Galway but it wasn't enough to save the day.

Championship Results so far for each team:
Galway 1-18 London 1-7 (Connacht quarter-final)
Sligo are having their first game in the championship.

Sligo have named their side for Sunday's clash and have brought back in the experienced Mark Breheny at full-forward, with former All Star Eamon O'Hara selected at right half-forward. Charles Harrison will captain the side from corner-back.

Sligo Team:
P Greene; C Harrison (capt), N McGuire, R Donovan; M McNamara, N Ewing, J Davey; T Taylor, E Mullen; E O'Hara, A Costello, S Davey; D Kelly, M Breheny, A Marren.


Galway on the other hand will be without the services of Damien Dunleavy due to the fact that the wing forward is struggling with a groin injury. However, midfielders Joe Bergin and Barry Cullinane both return from knee injury for Galway. In fact Liam Sammon has made three changes from the side that defeated London for Sunday's Connacht football semi final against Sligo at Markievicz Park. Declan Meehan, Matthew Clancy and Joe Bergin replace Gary Sice, Damien Dunleavy and Nicky Joyce. The latter was axed from the panel for disciplinary reasons. Bergin will start at wing-forward, while Clancy will be a part of a full-forward line that also includes Seanie Armstrong and Michael Meehan.

Galway Team:

A Fahery, D Burke, F Hanley, N Coyne, G Bradshaw, D Blake, D Meehan, P Conroy, G O'Donnell, C Bane, P Joyce, J Bergin, S Armstrong, M Meehan, M Clancy


The Tribesmen had a good run in this year's GAA Allianz NFL Division 1; just losing out to Derry for a spot in the final. While Sligo were crowned Allianz Div 4 champions. Galway go into Sunday's match as clear favorites and I don't see an upset happening. Therefore, Galway should be good enough to win and book their place in the Connacht Final against Mayo on Sunday July 19th.

Winner: Galway

Ulster SHC Final Weekend Fixture...

Ulster GAA Hurling Senior Championship
Final

Casement PK Sun 6/28/09 @ 3.30pm
Aontroim v An Dún
Referee: Brian Gavin (Uíbh Fhailí)

Midweek Odds from Paddy Powers:
Match Betting
Antrim 1/8
Draw 14/1
Down 11/2

Ulster SFC Semi-final Weekend Fixture...

Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship
Semi Final

Clones Sat 6/27/09 @ 7.00pm
Aontroim v An Cabhán
Referee: John Bannon (Longfort)

Midweek odds from Paddy Powers:
Match Betting
Cavan 8/15
Draw 15/2
Antrim 15/8

Handicap Betting
Cavan (-2.0) evens
Handicap Draw (-2.0) 17/2
Antrim (+2.0)

Leinster SFC Weekend Fixtures....

Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship
Semi Finals

Tullamore
Sat 6/27/09 @ 7.00pm
Cill Dara v Laois
Referee: David Coldrick (An Mhí)

Midweek Odds from Paddy Powers:
Match Betting
Kildare 4/7
Draw 15/2
Laois 7/4

Handicap Betting
Kildare (-2.0) evens
Handicap Draw (-2.0) 17/2
Laois (+2.0) evens


Páirc an Chrócaigh
Sun 6/28/09 @ 4.00pm
Áth Cliath v An Iarmhí
Referee: Jimmy White (Dún na nGall)

Midweek Odds from Paddy Powers:
Match Betting
Dublin 1/7
Draw 11/1
Westmeath 13/2

Handicap Betting
Dublin (-6.0) evens
Handicap Draw (-6.0) 10/1
Westmeath (+6.0) 10/11

Connacht SFC 2009 Weekend Fixture...

Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship
Semi Final

Markievicz PK Sun 6/28/09 @ 2.00pm
Sligeach v Gaillimh
Referee: Derek Fahy (Longfort)

Midweek Odds from Paddy Powers:
Match Betting
Sligo 9/2
Draw 11/1
Galway 2/11

Handicap Betting
Sligo (+5.0) 10/11
Handicap Draw (5.0) 10/1
Galway (-5.0) evens

Sunday, June 21, 2009

The GAA Qualifiers Draw...

The GAA has held the draws for Round 1 of the Football Qualifiers and Phase 1 and 2 of the Hurling Qualifiers which took place this evening in Páirc na nGael, Limerick.

The details and results of the draws are as follows:

Football Qualifers Round 1:
Included all counties who had not qualified for Provincial semi-final: Down, Carlow, Monaghan, Offaly, Longford, London, Waterford, Tipperary, Leitrim, Armagh, Fermanagh, Meath, Wicklow, Louth, Wexford and Donegal.

This was an open draw (no restriction of any description on possible pairings) - 8 games - first county drawn in each pairing has home venue, provided the venue meets the criteria set down by the National Infrastructure Committee.

Draw Results:
Donegal vs. Carlow
Monaghan vs. Armagh
Meath vs. Waterford
Wicklow vs. Fermanagh
Wexford vs. Offaly
Louth vs. Tipperary
London vs. Down
Leitrim vs. Longford


Hurling Qualifiers - Phase 1:

Included first round losers: Cork, Offaly, Laois and Antrim.

This was also an open draw - 2 games - first County drawn in each pairing has home venue, provided the venue meets the criteria set down by the National Infrastructure Committee. The winners qualify for Phase 3.

Draw Results:
Offaly vs. Cork
Laois vs. Antrim


Hurling Qualifiers - Phase 2:

Draw included the defeated Provincial Semi Finalists: Galway, Wexford, Clare and Limerick.

This was an open draw - 2 games - first County drawn in each pairing has home venue, provided venue meets the criteria set down by the National Infrastructure Committee. The winners qualify for Phase 3.
Draw Results:
Wexford vs Limerick
Clare vs Galway

Dublin win in Leinster SHC semi-final....

Leinster SHC semi-final
Dublin 0-18 - 1-13 Wexford


Dublin got a significant win over Wexford in this Leinster SHC semi-final clash at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny. Dublin will now meet the All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in the Leinster SHC final; their first final appearance since 1990.

Dublin started brightly and led by four-points at half-time. Wexford got off to a great start early in the second-half when Nicky Kirwan scored a goal.

However, Alan McCrabbe put in a man-of-the match performance before going off injured for Dublin. Kevin Flynn was sent-off late in the game.

Tipp beat Clare in Munster SHC semi-final....

Munster SHC semi-final
Tipperary 3-18 - 1-22 Clare


Tipperary fought a resilient Clare side to win this semi-final clash by 2 points at the Gaelic Grounds. They will now play Waterford in the SHC Final.

GAA Man of the Match: Noel McGrath

Tyrone overcome a poor Derry in the Ulster SFC....

Ulster SFC Semi-Final:
Tyrone 0-15 Derry 0-7


Reigning All-Ireland Champions Tyrone easily overcame a lacklustre Derry side in a disappointing clash in Casement Park on Sunday. There was much talk that this match was going to be one of the season's best, but it failed to live up to expectations. The O'Neill county are now into the Ulster SFC final where they will take on the winners of Cavan-Antrim.

Although Tyrone performed reasonably well on the day, their overall quality was well below their best but Oak Leafers simply didn't perform and they never seriously threatened the O'Neill county. It didn't help that Derry lost defender Kevin McGuckin who was red-carded for lunging at Sean Cavanagh in the last quarter of the game. However, Tyrone had already achieved double scores over Derry at this point.

There were strong performances from Kevin Hughes, Martin Penrose and Conor Gormley for the Red Hands, while Eoin Bradley was the best for Derry as he scored four of their seven points.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Kilkenny finds another gear to beat Galway in the Leinster SHC clash...

Kilkenny 2-20 Galway 3-13


Kilkenny are back in another Leinster SHC final after beating Galway in this SHC semi-final at O'Connor Park in Tullamore. They will now meet the winners of the Dublin-Wexford match being played on Sunday (6/21); while Galway will wait for the draw on Sunday evening to see who they will play in the next round of the Qualifiers.

I watched this exciting match on the web and there are a few interesting points to note. Galway put it up to the reigning All-Ireland Champions and came closer to dethroning Kilkenny than any other team has in the last couple of years. Their 3-13 tally would come quite close to a winning score on another day (well, maybe not against the powerhouse that is Kilkenny). Despite going 5 points up against the Cats in the second half, the Tribesmen seem to lose composure and run out of steam in the final quarter of the game. On the other hand, the Cats never showed panic, but did show that they had more in the tank than Galway. And so, ran out deserving winners in the end up.

Strong performances from the likes of Eoin Larkin (0-5, Man of the Match), Henry Shefflin (0-10) and Aidan Fogarty (0-3) truly shows that this Kilkenny panel is a dynasty. I think Galway rely too much on the young Master Joe Canning (2-09) for their scores.

Going forward, I believe that Galway can gain alot from their performance in this match and will be a force to reckon with in the Qualifiers. I wouldn't be surprised if they face up against Kilkenny later in Championship. However, I don't there's a county in Ireland this year that will stop Kilkenny from claiming their fourth All-Ireland SHC in a row come September. In doing so, it would tie with Cork's record of 4-in-a-row (1941-1944). Well, we will have to wait and see. There's a lot of hurling to be played yet this summer!

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Galway unable to get win over Kilkenny in Leinster SHC semi-final...

Full-time score: Galway 3-13 - Kilkenny 2-20

Mayo thrash Roscommon in Connacht SFC semi-final...

Full-time score: Mayo 3-18 - Roscommon 0-07

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Waterford beat Limerick in SHC semi-final replay...

Waterford 0-25 Limerick 0-17

Waterford qualified for the 2009 Munster Hurling final with a fully deserved win against Limerick at the Thurles venue.

The Deise got off to the better start in the first half. John Mullane's three first half points from play were an inspiration. But Limerick slowly got more into the game as the half wore on.

At half time Waterford held the slight advantage. Ten points to eight.

Dan Shanahan replaced the injured Stephen Molumphy after the break. Exchanges were hard and every ball was fiercely contested. Waterford edged three in front only to be pegged back to a single point.

Finally in the closing ten minutes Waterford gained the upper hand throughout the field. Shane OSullivan landed an inspirational point. Mullane had three from play, Eoin Kelly was deadly accurate from placed balls and Seamus Prendergast chipped in with three fine points from play.

Waterford march on to the Munster final on 12th July, where they will meet the winner of the other semi-final between Clare & Tipperary.

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Friday, June 19, 2009

Oak Leaf Magazine looks into Derry-Tyrone previous SFC clashes...


As the build up to Sunday's clash between Derry and Tyrone intensifies, the Oak Leaf magazine July issue takes an in-depth look at famous clashes between the two counties.

I haven't read it myself, but a colleague told me that it is definitely worth a read.

Contact editor@oakleafmagazine.com for more information on getting a copy or subscribing to this magazine.



Disclaimer: I and my blog are not claiming to endorse this magazine, but just want to pass on info that others may find interesting.

Derry vs. Tyrone Match Pick...

Ulster SFC Semi-final
Casement Park: Tyrone v Derry, 2.00pm, Sun 6/21

The reigning All-Ireland Champions Tyrone take on neighbors Derry at Casement Park on Sunday in the Ulster Senior Football Semi-final. Mickey Harte has gone with the same team that knocked out Armagh earlier in the campaign. While Derry boss Damien Cassidy is expected to name his side on Friday (6/19), which may have one or two changes in the side that beat Monaghan.

Despite a poor campaign last year, the Oak Leaf county (NFL champions 2008, NFL runners-up 2009) are expected to put it up to the O'Neill county on Sunday. However, it is not since 1998 that a team other Tyrone and Armagh have gone on to win the Ulster SFC.

Tyrone skipper Brian Dooher has fully recovered from a groin problem, but he will start from the bench. However, he is likely to make a substitute appearance.

One of Derry's biggest disappointments ahead of Sunday's match is the loss of their forward James Kielt, who had his jaw broken while playing for his club.

Nonetheless, this Tyrone-Derry encounter has all the signs that it will be a fast and furious game of football from two physical teams. Although Tyrone are favorites to win, I think that the final score will be close and I am leaning towards an upset.

Winner: Derry

Paddy Powers Match Betting Odds (as of 6/19):
Tyrone 8/15
Draw 7/1
Derry 9/4

Handicap Betting Odds:
Tyrone (-2.0) evens
Handicap Draw (-2.0) 17/2
Derry (+2.0) evens

Galway - Kilkenny Match Pick...

Leinster SHC semi-final
Kilkenny v Galway, Tullamore, 7.00pm (Sat 6/20), Referee: Barry Kelly (Westmeath)

Galway face their first real test in Leinster at O'Connor Park in Tullamore on Saturday evening, as the Tribesmen take on a Kilkenny side looking to claim their fourth All-Ireland title in a row. This historic Leinster Senior Hurling semi-final is gearing up to be an exciting encounter between the two teams. The match is historic in the sense that it is Galway's first year in the Leinster SHC. It's their second match in this year's Championship, as they easily beat Laois earlier in the campaign. However, it will be Kilkenny's first Championship game of the season.

Some of Kilkenny's stars are out due to injury, but Brian Cody's team still has great depth in the panel selection. John McIntyre's Galway will be relying alot on rising star and current All-Star Joe Canning (who should be okay to play despite a stomach problem) to get their scores.

Kilkenny's last defeat in the Championship came at the hands of Galway in the 2005 All-Ireland semi-final. That encounter has been defined as one of the most memorable and exciting matches of recent years. That day Galway beat Kilkenny by a score of 5-18 to 4-18 to claim what was truly an upset.

It is obvious that the Cats have been the best team in the country for the last few years and many people don't give the Tribesmen much chance of winning. However, I believe that Galway have at least one good game in them nearly every year and this match on Saturday could be the one. If Galway come out firing with their best, then they can win this one as the Tribesmen are one of the very few teams who could halt the seemingly unstoppable Cats.

I am going for the upset.

Winner: Galway

Paddy Power's Match Betting Odds (as of 6/19):
Kilkenny 1/5
Draw 14/1
Galway 4/1

Handicap Betting
Kilkenny (-6.0) 4/5
Handicap Draw (-6.0) 11/1
Galway (+6.0) 11/10

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Ulster SFC Semi-final Weekend Fixture...

Semi-Final

Derry vs. Tyrone
(Sun) 21 Jun 2009 @ 2:00 PM
Venue: Casement Park

Midweek Odds from Paddy Powers:
Derry win 2/1
Tyrone win 8/15
Draw 7/1

Connacht SFC 2009 Weekend Fixture...

Semi-Finals
Mayo vs. Roscommon
20 Jun 2009 @ 5:00 PM
Venue: McHale Park

Midweek Odds from Paddy Powers:
Mayo win 2/9
Roscommon win 9/2
Draw 9/1

Munster SHC Weekend Fixtures 6/20 & 6/21...

Semi-finals
Limerick vs. Waterford
20 Jun 2009 @ 5:00 PM
Venue: Semple Stadium

Midweek Odds from Paddy Powers
Limerick win 11/8
Waterford win 8/11
Draw 10/1

Tipperary vs. Clare
21 Jun 2009 @ 4:00 PM
Venue: Gaelic Grounds

Midweek Odds from Paddy Powers
Tipperary win 2/9
Clare win 4/1
Draw 12/1

Leinster SHC Weekend Fixtures 6/20 & 6/21...

Semi-Finals
Kilkenny vs. Galway
Venue: Tullamore
Date and Time: (Sat) 20 Jun 2009 @ 7:00 PM

Midweek Odds from Paddy Powers
Kilkenny win 2/11
Galway win 9/2
Draw 14/1

Dublin vs. Wexford
Venue: Nowlan Park, Kilkenny
Date and Time: (Sun) 21 Jun 2009 @ 3:30 PM

Midweek Odds from Paddy Powers
Dublin win 11/8
Wexford win 8/11
Draw 10/1

Qualifier draws to take place on Sunday....

The GAA has confirmed that the football and hurling qualifier draws will take place next Sunday in Limerick, following the Munster Senior Hurling semi-final.


The football draw consists of all counties who have not qualified for a provincial semi-final, including Down, Monaghan, Meath, and Donegal.

It will be an open draw with the first county drawn in each pairing gaining home advantage.

The hurling draw includes first round losers Cork, Offaly, Laois and Antrim.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Down over Derry in Ulster SHC...

Down showed great determination, having had wing-forward Simon Wilson sent off late in the first half, to battle their way past Derry at Casement Park. An early James Coyle goal laid the platform for Down's 1-10 to 0-08 half-time lead.

Although the Derry twice cut the gap to two points, six-point hero Paul Braniff steered Down through to their fifth Ulster final in six years.


Down 2-17 Derry 1-15

Laois beat a gutsy Louth...

Sean Dempsey's Laois side let an 11-point lead slip from their grasp, but the O'Moore's withstood a strong Louth comeback to finish four-point winners in this Leinster SFC quarter-final at Parnell Park.

Laois impressed for three-quarters of this game and led by 1-13 to 0-05 at that stage, but Eamon McEnaney's Louth failed to give up and staged a determined finish, before Laois held out for victory at the death.

The Laois win ensures them of a semi-final spot against Kildare in a fortnight's time.

Laois 1-15 Louth 1-11

Westmeath triumph over Wicklow...

Westmeath claimed an extra-time victory over Wicklow at O'Connor Park, Tullamore.

A Dean Odlum 34th-minute goal had given Wicklow a 1-03 to 0-04 half-time lead in normal time. The sides finished level at the end of normal time at 0-11 to 1-08 with Fergal Wilson sending over a 72nd-minute equaliser.

However, Westmeath were strongest in extra-time to book a semi-final spot against Dublin.

Westmeath 0-16 Wicklow 1-10

Antrim win against Donegal....

Antrim scored a shock first Ulster SFC win over Donegal since 1970 with a narrow one point success at Ballybofey. They will now meet Cavan in the semi-final.

A misfiring Donegal side hit 18 wides, and just couldn't shake off Antrim's gutsy challenge, which gave them their first provincial championship win since 2002.

Donegal 0-12 Antrim 1-10

Limerick - Waterford Draw...

Limerick and Waterford will meet again after their disappointing Munster SHC semi-final ended all-square in difficult conditions at Semple Stadium.

In a game lacking in quality, Limerick trailed 0-09 to 0-03 at the break, before a much improved second half saw them deservedly force a replay.

Limerick 1-08 Waterford 0-11

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Limerick - Waterford Match Pick...

This weekend, Limerick take on a Waterford side managed by former Waterford manager Justin McCarthy. The Cork man brought great success to Waterford over the last seven years with 3 Munster championships and a National League title.
However, now he oversees a Limerick side that are determined to perform better than their outing in the National League.

Both sides have had a poor league performance this year (six league points each). Limerick had a victory over Waterford in April, but come Sunday it will be a totally different level of game.

Winner: Limerick


Current odds on match from Paddy Powers:

Waterford win 4/6
Limerick win 6/4
Draw 10/1

Kildare get win over Wexford...

Kildare eased into the Leinster Championship semi-final with a comfortable victory over Wexford at a sunny Dr Cullen Park.

Kildare 2-12 Wexford 0-11

Cork beat Kerry....

Cork moved into the Munster final to face Limerick on July 6th after a pulsating win over Kerry at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday evening.

CORK 1-17 KERRY 0-12

Friday, June 12, 2009

Note: GAA Championship Weekend Match Pick...

Until the end of the Championship season in both Hurling and Gaelic Football, I am going to pick one of the matches from that weekend's schedule (when applicable) to make a comment or two on. The pick will be based on what seems to be the interesting match of the weekend by being what's said in the media. I know it still sound biased. Anyways, I did start this blog.

Ideally, I would like to put forward comments/discussions on every Hurling/Gaelic Football match until the end of the season, but unfortunately I don't think I can commit the time.

I would wish for comments from other people too, but I don't think anyone will really comes across my blog for a while. Here's wishing and let's go....

GAA SHC Fixtures for weekend June 13th/14th...

Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship
June 14, 2009 (Sun)
Semi Final
Semple Stadium 4.00pm Luimneach v Port Láirge
Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Corcaigh)

Ulster GAA Hurling Senior Championship
June 14, 2009 (Sun)
Semi Final
Casement PK 3.30pm An Dún v Doire
Referee: Eamon Morris (Áth Cliath)

GAA SFC Fixtures for weekend June 13th/14th...

Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship
June 13, 2009 (Sat)
Quarter Final
Dr Cullen PK 7.00pm Loch Garman v Cill Dara
Referee: Cormac Reilly (An Mhí)
(Extra Time if Necessary)

June 14, 2009 (Sun)
Quarter Final
Tullamore 2.00pm Iar Mhí v Cill Maintáin
Referee: Joe McQuillan (An Cabhán)
(Extra Time if Necessary)

Parnell PK 3.30pm Laois v An Lú
Referee: Michael Duffy (Sligeach)
(Extra Time if Necessary)


Munster GAA Football Senior Championship
June 13, 2009 (Sat)
Semi Final Replay
Pairc Ui Chaoimh 5.00pm Corcaigh v Ciarraí
Referee: Pat McEnaney (Muineachán)
(Extra Time if Necessary)

Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship
June 13, 2009 (Sat)
Quarter Final
Ballybofey 3.30pm Dún na nGall v Aontroim
Referee: Padraig Hughes (Ard Mhacha)
(Extra Time if Necessary)

Leinster SHC Semi-final open draw results...

The results of the semi-final open draw are as follows:

Galway versus Kilkenny on June 20, 2009.
Dublin versus Wexford 0n June 21, 2009.

A RTE video of this draw is available at the following link:

http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/mediaplayer.html?features,2558105,2558105,real,228

Leinster SHC quarter-final results...

The following match was played on June 7, 2009.

Dublin 2-16 - 0-12 Antrim Venue: Croke Park

Dublin now waits on the open semi-final draw on June 7, to see who they will play next.

Munster SFC Semi-finals results...

The following semi-final matches were played on June 7, 2009.

Kerry 0-13 - 1-10 Cork Venue: Killarney
Clare 1-09 - 1-13 Limerick Venue: Cusack Park, Ennis

Limerick are through to the Munster SFC Final. While Kerry and Cork must battle it out again on June 13 due to their drawn match.

Leinster SFC quarter-final results...

The following quarter-final match was played on June 7, 2009.

Meath 0-12 - 0-14 Dublin Venue: Croke Park, Dublin

Dublin will next play the winner of Westmeath/Wicklow in the semi-final.

Munster SHC gets underway...

The following quarter final match was played on May 31, 2009.

Tipperary 1-19 - 0-19 Cork Venue: Semple Stadium, Thurles

Tipperary will now play Clare in the Munster semi-final on June 21.

Connacht SFC 2009 results..

The following match was played on May 31, 2009.

Leitrim 2-09 - 2-13 Roscommon Venue: Carrick-on-Shannon

Roscommon will now play Mayo in the semi-final on June 20 at McHale Park.

Leinster SHC quarter-final results...

The following match was played on May 31, 2009.

Laois 0-17 - 5-29 Galway Venue: O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

Galway will have to wait for open draw to see who they will play in the semi-final.

Leinster SHC quarter-final results...

The following match was played on May 30, 2009.

Wexford 2-17 - 0-16 Offaly Venue: Wexford Park

Wexford will have to wait to find in open draw who they will play in the semi-final.

Ulster SHC Quarter-final Results...

The following matches were played on May 30, 2009.

Derry 4-10 - 3-12 London Venue: Casement Park
Down 5-20 - 0-13 Armagh Venue: Casement Park

Derry and Down will now play each other in the semi-final on June 14.

Connacht SFC 2009 results..

Galway travelled to England to play London in the Connacht quarter-final. London put on a decent attempt to beat last year's Connacht champions, but Galway came out easy winners in the end.

London 1-07 - 1-18 Galway Venue: Ruislip

Galway will now play Sligo in the semi-final on June 28 at Markievicz Park.

Munster SFC gets underway...

The following SFC quarter-final matches were played on May 24, 2009.

Waterford 1-07 - 2-18 Cork Venue: Dungarvan
Limerick 1-11 - 1-09 Tipperary Venue: Thurles

Cork will now play Kerry in the semi-final and Limerick will play Clare. Both matches will be played on June 4.

Leinster Football Championship preliminary results...

The following preliminary matches were played on May 24, 2009.

Longford 1-13 - 2-12 Wicklow Venue: Portlaoise
Kildare 1-16 - 1-10 Offaly Venue: Portlaoise

Wicklow will now play Westmeath on June 14 and Kildare will play Wexford on June 13.

Ulster SHC Preliminary Results...

The following match was played on May 23, 2009.

London 1-23 - 0-07 Fermanagh

London now play Derry on May 30 in the quarter-final.

Leinster Football Championship preliminary results...

The Leinster SFC got underway with the following match.

Carlow 1-11 - 1-13 Louth Venue: Parnell Park

Louth will now play Laois om June 14 in the quarter-final.

Ulster Senior Football Championship Quarter-final results...

The following quarter-final match was played on May 24, 2009.

Derry 1-10 - 0-10 Monaghan Venue: Celtic Park, Derry

Derry will play the winner of Armagh/Tyrone in the Ulster SFC.

Ulster Senior Football Championship Preliminary results...

The first match in the Ulster SFC was played on May 17, 2009.

Fermanagh 0-13 - 0-10 Down Venue: Brewster Park

Fermanagh will play Cavan next in the quarter-final.

Ulster Senior Hurling Championship Preliminary results...

The following preliminary round was played on May 17, 2009.

Donegal 2-12 - 3-24 Armagh Venue: Letterkenny

Connacht SFC 2009 got underway...

First up in the Connacht Senior Football Championship was the clash between Mayo and New York in Gaelic Park on 10th May. John O’Mahony’s Mayo were strong favourites to come away from the Big Apple with a big win, but the Exiles were keen to cause an upset at their home in the Bronx. However, Mayo came out of the match as easy winners.

New York 0-10 - 2-19 Mayo Gaelic Park, New York

Mayo goes on to face the winners of Leitrim-Roscommon in the semi-final.

Ulster SHC Preliminary Results...

The following preliminary matches were played on May 9, 2009:


Armagh 1-22 - 1-09 Monaghan Venue: Athletic Ground
Donegal 1-21 - 0-06 Tyrone Venue: Letterkenny
Fermanagh 0-13 - 1-09 Cavan Venue: Fermanagh

Counties to compete for Liam McCarthy Cup...



Limerick manager Justin McCarthy will face his former charges Waterford in the Munster semi-final, while Galway’s first game in the Leinster SHC will be against Laois.

Cork and Tipperary drew the short straw of a quarter-final tie, with the game set to go ahead in Thurles given the Premier County’s win in Pairc Ui Chaoimh this year.

The winners of that tie will play Clare in the semi-final.

In Leinster, three quarter-final games were set up with new boys Galway and Antrim facing Laois and Dublin respectively. In the other tie Offaly play Wexford. All-Ireland champions Kilkenny were not in the draw as they have a bye to the semi-finals and the draw for those games will not take place until the three quarter-final games have been played.

Senior Hurling Championship Odds...

The winning team in this Championship for the last three years Kilkenny, are overwhelming favorites to win the Championship again this year (according to the bookmakers).

The typical odds by many of the bookmakers are as follows:
Kilkenny 4/9
Tipperary 4
Galway 10
Cork 9
Waterford 12
Limerick 25
Clare 40
Wexford 80
Dublin 100
Offaly 200
Antrim 2000
Laois 2000

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Draws...

The draws for the 2009 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship was held at Croke Park on October 8, 2008.

The draws in full are:

Leinster SHC
Quarter-finals
Laois v Galway
Offaly v Wexford
Dublin v Antrim

Munster SHC
Quarter-final
Cork v Tipperary
Semi-finals
Waterford v Limerick
Cork or Tipperary v Clare

Ulster SHC
First round: Tyrone v Donegal
Fermanagh v Cavan
Second Round: Tyrone/Donegal v Armagh
Fermanagh/Cavan v Monaghan
Third round: Tyrone/Donegal/Armagh v London
Fermanagh/Cavan/Monaghan v Derry
Quarter final: Tyrone/Donegal/Armagh/London v Fermanagh/Cavan/Monaghan/Derry
Semi Final: winner of Quarter Final v Down.
Final: winner of Semi Final v Antrim

Semi-finals
Draw to be made in the summer of 2009 when the three quarter-final winners will go into an open draw with Kilkenny

33 counties play GFC...


There are 31 countries in Ireland that play for the Sam Maguire Cup (Kilkenny don't enter the Championship). In addition, a team from New York and London also play in the Connaught section of the Championship.


Gaelic Football Championship Odds...

Runners-up for the 2008 Championship, Kerry are favorites to win this year's championship (according to the bookmakers). While 2008 winners Tyrone are starting as second favorites.
The typical odds for this year's championship by many of the bookmakers are:

Kerry 15/8
Tyrone 3
Cork 7
Dublin 8
Derry 14
Galway 16
Mayo 28
Armagh 50
Kildare 50
Donegal 50
Meath 80
Monaghan 80
Laois 100
Westmeath 100
Louth 500
Offaly 500
Sligo 500
Tipperary 500
Wicklow 750
Leitrim 1000
Longford 1000
Antrim 1200
Waterford 2000
New York 5000
Clare 5000
Carlow 7500
London 10000

Gaelic Football Championship Draws...

The draw for the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2009 took place at Croke Park on October 8, 2008.
The draws for each province are as follows:

Connacht SFC

Quarter-finals

London v Galway

Mayo v New York

Roscommon v Leitrim

Semi-finals

Mayo or New York v Roscommon or Leitrim

Sligo v London or Galway

Ulster SFC
Preliminary round

Fermanagh v Down

Quarter-finals

Tyrone v Armagh

Derry v Monaghan

Donegal v Antrim

Cavan v Fermanagh or Down

Semi-finals

Tyrone or Armagh v Derry or Monaghan

Donegal or Antrim v Cavan or Fermanagh or Down


Munster SFC

Quarter-finals

Tipperary v Limerick

Waterford v Cork

Semi-finals

Clare v Tipperary or Limerick

Kerry v Waterford or Cork


Leinster SFC

First round

Kildare v Offaly

Carlow v Louth

Longford v Wicklow

Quarter-finals

Wexford v Kildare or Offaly

Laois v Carlow or Louth

Westmeath v Longford or Wicklow

Dublin v Meath

Semi-finals

Wexford or Kildare or Offaly v Laois or Carlow or Louth

Westmeath or Longford or Wicklow v Dublin or Meath

Foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)...

The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) (Irish: Cumann Lúthchleas Gael) is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organization focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders. The GAA also promotes Irish music and dance, and the Irish language. It is the largest organization in Ireland with some 800,000 members from the island's population of six million.

At the first meeting of the GAA, on 1 November 1884, the founding members of Michael Cusack, Maurice Davin (who presided), John Wyse Power, John McKay, J. K. Bracken, Joseph O'Ryan and Thomas St. George McCarthy agreed to ask Dr. Croke, Archbishop of Cashel, Charles Stewart Parnell, leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party, and Michael Davitt, head of the Land League, to become patrons of their organization.

The group at this first meeting realized the importance of establishing a national organization to revive and nurture traditional, indigenous pastimes. Until that time all that was Irish was being steadily eroded by emigration, desperate poverty and outside influences. Within six months of that famous first meeting, clubs began to spring up all over Ireland.

The Irish who emigrated brought their national games with them and both regional and club units are now well established in America, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Canada, mainland Europe and in many other parts of the world where the large Irish diaspora are located.