TODAY’S GAELIC GAMES RESULTS
FOOTBALL
Leinster SFC semi-finals
Louth 1-18 Kildare 0-18
Meath 0-23 Dublin 0-1-16
Ulster SFC semi-final
Donegal 1-19 Down 0-16
HURLING
Munster SHC, Round 2
Waterford 2-23 Clare 0-21
Cork 4-27 Tipperary 0-24
Leinster SHC, Round 2
Kilkenny 2-30 Antrim 2-12
Joe McDonagh Cup: Carlow 3-27 Kerry 0-17
Nickey Rackard Cup: Roscommon 1-15 Armagh 0-15
WOMEN’S SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Connacht SFC: Mayo 2-11 Leitrim 1-11
Leinster SFC: Dublin 4-12 Kildare 1-5
Munster SFC: Waterford 2-9 Tipperary 1-7
Thanks for joining us this afternoon. What a day of action it was in the championship. There will be plenty more reaction and news on today’s events throughout the evening on irishtimes.com and also in tomorrow’s newspaper.
Thanks again for your company today. We’re off to debate who wins the manager of the day award, Robbie Brennan or Arne Slot?
There is little doubt that Meath’s win over Dublin is the headline act of today’s GAA action. You can see what it means to the fans, 15 years of hurt released.
Ian O’Riordan has filed his report from Tullamore, where he watched Louth advance to a third consecutive Leinster SFC final. Report below.
‘It finished with the rest of the summer flashing before the eyes of both teams. It wasn’t a classic knock-out, it just felt that way, as Louth eventually wobbled through to another Leinster football final and snatched the last remaining place in the All-Ireland series that came with it.’
[ Louth wobble past Kildare to set up Leinster final rematch with MeathOpens in new window ]
And here’s David Mohan’s report on Kilkenny’s Leinster SHC victory over Antrim at Corrigan Park.
Some scenes at the final whistle at O’Moore Park.
And here is Dermot Keyes describing Waterford’s Munster SHC win over Clare at Walsh Park. Report below:
‘Stephen Bennett marked his 100th championship appearance with a performance for the ages as Waterford blew the roof off the Munster senior series at a raucous Walsh Park.’
[ Waterford blow the roof off Munster championship with convincing defeat of ClareOpens in new window ]
Clones confirmed as Ulster final venue for Donegal v Armagh. All the latest on that and how Donegal overcame Down here in Chris McNulty’s report.
[ Ulster final confirmed for Clones as Donegal dispatch DownOpens in new window ]
Robbie Brennan leads Meath to a Leinster final against Louth in his first year at the helm, beating Dublin along the way.
Highlights of Cork’s win over Tipperary.
James Conlon: “It’s the stuff of dreams.”
Update from Denis Walsh who is at Páirc Uí Chaoimh for us today:
‘Tipp didn’t drop their heads and made a fist of staying in the game in the second half. With Jake Morris and Jason Forde leading the attack they didn’t lose any further ground in the third quarter. Cork, though, put on a spurt of five unanswered points from the 55th minute and the rout was complete when Declan Dalton scored Cork’s fourth goal with six minutes left.
When the shooting stopped Cork had won by 15 points, 4-27 to 0-24.’
Scenes
That’s the first time Dublin have lost a Leinster SFC since 2010. Their incredible run has come to an end and set up a repeat of that 2010 decider - Meath v Louth.
James Conlon named Man of the Match. In his post-match interview: “That was a long time coming.”
FULL-TIME: Meath 0-23 Dublin 1-16
Meath are going to win!!!!
30 seconds left. Dublin need a goal.
Aaron Lynch with a huge point for Meath. They lead by three.
68 minutes: Meath 0-22 Dublin 1-16
FULL-TIME: Cork 4-27 Tipperary 0-24
67 minutes: Basquel wide with a two point effort.
Meath 0-21 Dublin 1-16
Billy Hogan drags a dead-ball kick well wide of the Dublin goal. Five minutes remaining. Meath lead by two, but they have been taking on water for a little while now. They need a score. Possession now is vital.
Two-pointer from Basquel, super score.
Meath 0-21 Dublin 1-16. Two point game.
Seven minutes remaining in Portlaoise. Meath lead by four points. Dublin in possession. Grandstand finish ahead.
Meanwhile, Declan Dalton has scored Cork’s fourth goal.
The Rebels lead Tipperary 4-24 to 0-22 coming down the stretch. The game has been long over as a contest.
59 minutes: Con O’Callaghan punches over for Dublin.
Meath 0-21 Dublin 1-14. Four point game.
Brilliant save by Billy Hogan, Costello looked on for his second goal but the Meath goalkeeper had his measure on this occasion.
57 minutes: Paddy Small fists over.
Meath 0-21 Dublin 1-13. Five point game.
GOAL for Dublin. Cormac Costello slides home but the goal was created by a powerful Con O’Callaghan run. After 55 minutes, Meath 0-21 Dublin 1-12. That could be the spark Dublin needed. Meath now need to hold their nerve. Game on.
Costello misses a two-pointer free from just outside the arc. Dublin just haven’t been on it today so far, lack of energy all over the pitch. They have just under 20 minutes to save their Leinster SFC record. After 52 minutes Meath lead 0-21 to 0-12.
Eoghan Frayne responds for Meath to make it a ten-point game again, 0-19 to 0-9.
Scores by Paddy Small and Cormac Costello reduce the gap to single figures. After 45 minutes, it’s Meath 0-18 Dublin 0-9.
Ten minutes of the second half gone in Cork. The home side lead Tipperary 3-17 to 0-15.
Cormac Costello slips as he strikes a 45 and Meath come away with possession. There are seven minutes gone now in the second half and Dublin have only reduced the gap by one point. Meath lead 0-18 to 0-7. The Royals will be happy enough with how they have stemmed Dublin’s early momentum. The Dubs need to find a spark again.
Eoghan Frayne pops over a close range free for Meath. After 40 minutes, Meath 0-18 Dublin 0-7.
O’Callaghan goes for another two-pointer but drags it wide. Dublin have started the second half strongly but Meath have got their hands on the kickout. Chance to steady matters here.
Con O’Callaghan with a two-pointer inside the opening 15 seconds of the restart. Just the start Dublin would have wanted to this second half. Ten-point game, 0-17 to 0-7.
Cormac Costello coming in for the start of the second half as Dublin chase down a 12-point deficit. Huge 35 minutes ahead here in relation to one of the longest unbeaten streaks in Irish sport.
Cork will almost certainly see it over the line against Tipperary but there could still be plenty of drama in Portlaoise. Meath lead by 12 but Dublin will have the wind at their backs in the second half. We have seen during the league how influential the wind is in games under these new rules. Is a 12 point lead going to be enough for Robbie Brennan’s men to end Dublin’s ownership of the Leinster SFC?
HALF-TIME SCORES
Meath 0-17 Dublin 0-5
Cork 3-13 Tipperary 0-12
FULL-TIME: Donegal 1-19 Down 0-16
Defending champions Donegal through to another Ulster final, where they will face Armagh. Donegal rarely looked in much trouble in this semi-final.
Goal chance for Dublin but Meath clear their lines eventually and the Dubs come away empty handed. Would have been a big score and one Dublin need.
James Conlon replies for Meath. The Royals lead 0-17 to 0-4 after 33 minutes.
Paddy Small pulls a point back for Dublin but Dessie Farrell’s side trail by 12 points with three minutes of the opening half remaining. Meath are playing with a strong wind at their backs.
After 31 minutes on Leeside, Cork lead Tipperary 3-10 to 0-8. It’s hard to see 14-man Tipp turn this around.
Bryan Menton with the latest Meath two-pointer. Meath 0-16 Dublin 0-3 after 29 minutes.
Eoghan Frayne with a two-pointer now. Meath 0-14 Dublin 0-3 after 27 minutes.
Meanwhile, Meath are demonstrating their two-point talents with Keith Curtis booming over another for the Royals. After 25 minutes they lead Dublin 0-12 to 0-3.
Cork well in control at Leeside. They lead Tipp 3-7 to 0-6 after 24 minutes.
After 55 minutes of the Ulster SFC semi-final, Donegal lead Down 1-16 to 0-13.
After 20 minutes gone in Portlaoise, Meath lead Dublin 0-8 to 0-3. The wind is probably worth more than six points so Meath will need to tag on a few more scores, you’d imagine.
GOAL for Cork. Pat Ryan’s side have nearly boxed off this contest inside the opening quarter, Alan Connolly’s 16th minute goal makes it 3-6 to 0-3.
GOAL for Cork. The goal-hungry Rebels hit a second in the early stages. Patrick Horgan gives Cork a 2-3 to 0-2 advantage.
Here is the early Tipp red card.
Huge two-pointer by Eoghan Frayne gives Meath a 0-6 to no score advantage. Meath have started well but if they are to pull off an upset they will need to keep building on their lead as the Dubs will have the advantage of the wind in the second half.
Meath lead 0-3 to no score against Dublin in Portlaoise after six minutes. The Royals won the toss and have the benefit of the wind at their backs in the first half.
GOAL for Cork. Wow, what a start. Tim O’Mahony with the goal, Cork lead 1-1 to no score after five minutes. Tipp down to 14 men.
RED CARD. Drama in Cork where Darragh McCarthy has been sent off at the throw-in. It’s all kicking off on Leeside, hot and heavy stuff.
Down in Leeside, some changes ahead of Cork v Tipperary in the Munster SHC as well.
Conor Bowe replaces Joe Caesar for Tipperary.
Ahead of the 4pm throw-ins, here’s a piece on Meath’s recent miserable record against Dublin. What was once the most vibrant rivalry in Gaelic football has become a relic of the past. Meath’s last win over Dublin was in 2010. The Dubs have won nine championship games on the bounce. They are tipped to make it 10 today.
Several changes to the teams in Portlaoise:
DUBLIN: John Small, Paddy Small, Lorcan O’Dell start. Greg McEneaney, Seán Bugler, Ross McGarry drop out.
MEATH: Adam O’Neill and James Conlon start. Jack Flynn and Shane Walsh out.
Full-time update from Ian O’Riordan in Tullamore:
Louth: 1-18 Kildare: 0-18
‘Louth came through an intense and thrilling finish against Kildare to book their place in the Leinster football final, Tommy Durnin kicking a brilliant two-pointer in the closing two minutes to just about close out the deal, winning 1-18 to 0-18.
Kildare still went hunting for the equalising goal, getting two late 45-metre frees even after the hooter had sounded, but couldn’t make either count.
Louth made it a 10-point turnaround in the first half, coming from six down to lead by four at the break, after Conall McKeever palmed home a goal set up by Kieran McCardle.
Louth also get the bonus prize of securing the last remaining place in the All-Ireland senior football series and the 16 counties in the race for the Sam Maguire. While Kildare will join the other 16 counties that will contest the second-tier Tailteann Cup.
It’s also a third successive Leinster final for Louth since 1914. They will face either Dublin or Meath.’
Donegal in control at the break in their Ulster SFC semi-final. Donegal 1-12 Down 0-7.
Full-time: Louth 1-18 Kildare 0-18
A few late scores get the Wee County over the line.
A two-pointer by Dara O’Baoill gives Donegal a 1-8 to 0-5 lead over Down after 26 minutes.
Two-pointer for Louth! Tommy Durnin puts them three points ahead. 1-18 to 0-18.
Full-time: Waterford 2-23 Clare 0-21
Waterford’s first Munster championship win over Clare since 2016. Big performance.
Big point by Louth! Kieran McArdle puts them ahead in the dying stages, 1-17 to 0-18 after good play by Liam Jackson and Downe.
A few points by Clare, and throwing everything at scoring a goal but it’s Waterford 2-23 Clare 0-20 after 73 minutes, one minute stoppage time left.
Massive score by Stephen Bennett, catch quick turn and mammoth point into the wind. Then Kiely scores which could seal it. Waterford 2-23 Clare 0-18 after 70 minutes.
Still all square nearing the end between Louth and Kildare.
Hutchinson scores for Waterford, it’s Waterford 2-21 Clare 0-18 now, time is running out. Another miss from Clare, it’s just not been their day. 66 minutes gone.
Meanwhile, Louth and Kildare are all square at 18 each, exciting finish there with three minutes left. Craig Lennon for Louth, Colm Dalton for Kildare.
GOAL for Donegal. Paddy McBrearty palms home. After 20 minutes, Donegal 1-5 Down 0-4.
Stephen Bennett delivering a Man of the Match display for Waterford. He pops over another free, Waterford 2-19 Clare 0-18 with ten minutes remaining.
GOAL for Kilkenny. Martin Keoghan with the strike. The Cats pulling away now, they lead Antrim 1-23 to 2-11.
GOAL for Waterford. Stephen Bennett again. Waterford 2-16 Clare 0-16 after 57 minutes.
Still three points between the sides in Tullamore with 15 minutes remaining where Louth lead Kildare 1-14 to 0-14.
Back in Walsh Park, Waterford are still leading Clare. After 18 minutes of the second half, Waterford 1-15 Clare 0-15.
Early stages of the second Ulster SFC semi-final but Down lead Donegal 0-3 to 0-2 in the opening exchanges.
Here is that Waterford goal from Walsh Park, a Stephen Bennett penalty.
Kilkenny back in front at Corrigan Park. After 45 minutes, Kilkenny 0-17 Antrim 2-9.
Craig Lennon pops over a lovely score in Tullamore as Louth hold a three-point advantage over Kildare. Louth 1-13 Kildare 0-13 after 48 minutes.
Patrick Curran adds a point, Waterford 1-15 Clare 0-11 after 45 minutes in Walsh Park.
GOAL for Wateford. Stephen Bennett drills the ball low to the back of the Clare net. Waterford 1-14 Clare 0-11 after 44 minutes.
PENALTY for Waterford in Walsh Park.
Nice score by Dessie Hutchinson at Walsh Park but Clare reply immediately. After 39 minutes, Waterford lead 0-14 to 0-11.
Down changes ahead of their Ulster SFC semi-final against Donegal.
Donegal also make a change with Oisín Gallen coming in for Hugh McFadden.
Update from Ian O’Riordan in Tullamore:
‘A first half of two halves in Tullamore, Kildare hitting the ground running in their Leinster football semi-final against Louth, racing into a 0-8 to 0-2 advantage after 15 minutes. Excellent under the kick-outs and efficient throughout their play, Alex Beirne, Darragh Kirwan and Colm Dalton helped lead the way, as they converted nine of their first eight scoring chances.
Then Louth declared a complete reversal of fortune, Sam Mulroy switching to centre forward to good effect, scoring a two-point free after 20 minutes to bring them right back in it. Just before the hooter, they made it a 10-point turnaround, coming from six down to lead by four at the break, after Conall McKeever palmed home a goal set up by Kieran McCardle. They lead 1-11 to 0-10.’
HALF-TIME SCORES
Waterford 0-13 Clare 0-10
Antrim 2-8 Kilkenny 0-13
Louth 1-11 Kildare 0-10
GOAL for Louth. Conall McKeever palms home to give the Wee County a four-point half-time lead. Referee checked for a possible square ball before awarding the goal, huge score. Louth 1-11 Kildare 0-10.
GOAL for Antrim. The Saffrons have bagged a second green-flag score. Keelan Molloy’s strike gives Antrim the lead after 33 minutes, Antrim 2-7 Kilkenny 0-12.
Well taken score by Peter Duggan to narrow the gap in Walsh Park. Waterford 0-12 Clare 0-8.
Kildare lead 0-10 to 0-9 after 30 minutes in Tullamore.
Kilkenny have responded well to Antrim’s goal in Corrigan Park. The visitors lead 0-11 to 1-6 after 29 minutes.
Plenty of stuff happening off the ball in Walsh Park, it’s heating up in Waterford where the home side still lead Clare after 26 minutes, 0-12 to 0-6. Billy Nolan with a monster of a score for Waterford.
Louth rallying in Tullamore. Ger Brennan’s side were six adrift of Kildare but they have scored the last five points to leave just the minimum between the teams after 22 minutes, Kildare 0-8 Louth 0-7.
Jamie Barron adds another, Waterford lead 0-11 to 0-5 after 21 minutes.
GOAL for Antrim. James McNaughton brings the Saffrons level against Kilkenny.
Kildare looking good early on in Tullamore, they lead Louth 0-8 to 0-2 after 15 minutes.
Kilkenny leading 0-8 to 0-5 in Belfast after 15 minutes. Antrim staying in touch at the minute.
Jamie Barron fires over a point from play to extend Waterford’s lead, 0-8 to 0-3.
Waterford have started brightly in Walsh Park and are unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty. Stephen Bennett pops over the free instead and Waterford lead 0-7 to 0-3 after 12 minutes.
All-Star Craig Lennon returns to the Louth starting team in Tullamore but it’s Kildare who have started brightest and Brian Flanagan’s side lead 0-3 to 0-1 after seven minutes.
Tony Kelly doesn’t start for Clare at Walsh Park, illness sees the Banner star have to sit this one out. Big blow for Clare. With just four minutes gone, it’s level pegging early on at 0-1 apiece.
And here’s an update from Ian O’Riordan who is in place for us in Tullamore for Kildare v Louth:
‘An overcast but warm afternoon at Glenisk O’Connor Park in Tullamore, and there’s one late change on the Louth and Kildare teams ahead of the Leinster football semi-final.
For Louth, Craig Lennon replaces Emmet Carolan at right corner back, and for Kildare, Tommy Gill replaces Ryan Houlihan at right wing back. Sam Mulroy will captain Louth at full forward after missing their last two games with a hamstring injury.
It’s winner takes all, the prize a place in the Leinster football final, which for both Louth and Kildare carries enough incentive on its own. Louth are chasing a third successive final appearance for the first time in over 100 years; Kildare haven’t won the Leinster title since the turn of the century.
The winners will also get the bonus prize of securing the last remaining place in the All-Ireland senior football series and the 16 counties in the race for the Sam Maguire. While the losers will join the other 16 counties that will contest the second-tier Tailteann Cup.
It’s also a repeat of last year’s semi-final, which Louth won by four points in Croke Park, and with that sending Kildare into the Tailteann Cup for the first time. Louth have contested the 16-team All-Ireland senior football series since it began in 2023.’
Irish Times columnist and former Dublin footballer Dean Rock reckons the Louth-Kildare fixture is the most important football match of the weekend:
‘It has the air of a throwback championship weekend in Leinster and yet for both Louth and Kildare the outcome of Sunday’s provincial semi-final in Tullamore carries significant ramifications for the future.
The decision of Leinster Council to move the semis out of Croke Park and fix them for provincial venues should hopefully bring some of the buzz back to the competition. It certainly can’t harm.
You’d hope both Portlaoise and Tullamore will be able to drum up some old-school championship colour and atmosphere.
You can imagine the slagging and divilment between the Dublin and Meath fans in O’Moore Park, but O’Connor Park is where the difference between victory and defeat is a canyon. The consequences are far greater.’
Back to today’s action, Seán Moran previewed all the weekend matches and here is how he called them.
[ GAA previewsOpens in new window ]
The Galway hurlers were impressive winners over Offaly in Tullamore.
[ Galway impress in comprehensive win over OffalyOpens in new window ]
Buff Egan was having none of it, anyhow.
Paul Keane was in Parnell Park to watch Dublin’s controversial victory over Wexford in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship. One of the biggest talking points afterwards was the awarding of a Dublin goal which Wexford insist should not have counted as the ball did not cross the line.
[ Wexford’s Keith Rossiter is left seething after controversial penalty incidentOpens in new window ]
There was also plenty of action yesterday, including Armagh’s dramatic late victory over Tyrone in Clones. Seán Moran was there for us to cover Saturday’s Ulster SFC semi-final:
‘As time ticked by in Clones, All-Ireland champions Armagh were looking at another chapter of extra time – at best. Had the worst come to pass, it would have been devastating. For about three quarters of this Ulster semi-final, the result never really looked in doubt for a crowd of 21,288.’
[ Armagh stare into the abyss but Tyrone fall over the edgeOpens in new window ]
Good afternoon and welcome to our live blog of all the Gaelic Games action across the country today. It’s Gordon Manning here and I’ll be keeping you covered with all the news and updates on what is a significant day in both the provincial football and hurling championships.
There are also games in the women’s senior provincial championships in football and camogie, but the two main events in terms of the earlier throw-ins will see Waterford host Clare in the Munster SHC at Walsh Park while Louth and Kildare meet in a Leinster SFC semi-final at O’Connor Park in Tullamore. Both of those games begin at 2pm.
At 4pm Pat Ryan’s Cork will welcome Tipperary to Leeside in the Munster SHC while at the same time in Portlaoise Meath will attempt to halt Dublin’s dominance of the Leinster SFC.
It promises to be a belter of a Sunday.
