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Your GAA championship weekend review

Kerry, Cork and Donegal progress to provincial finals while it’s Joe Canning to the rescue for Galway’s hurlers as Kilkenny throw away ten-point advantage.

NEED TO CATCH up on another super weekend of GAA? Look no further. 

inpho_00822626 Fans watch the meeting of Sligo and Galway at Markievicz Park. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Premier’s nearly men

Tipperary came so close to shocking Cork in the Munster SFC semi-final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. You have to go all the way back to 1940 for their last Munster senior championship win over the Rebels and they nearly ended that barren spell on Saturday.

Who says you can’t be a dual star?

Aidan Walsh was terrific for the Cork hurlers last Sunday when they won the Munster semi-final and he came off the bench to inspire the Cork footballers on Saturday night with three key points.

Aidan Walsh celebrates scoring Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

 Sportsmanship pic of the weekend

Eoin Cadogan consoles Steven O'Brien Cork's Eoin Cadogan consoles Steven O'Brien of Tipperary after the final whistle. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Longford shock Oakleafers

Derry won’t want to come across Longford again in championship. For the third time in the qualifiers, Derry exited against Longford on Saturday after suffering previous defeats in 2006 and 2012.

Snapshot

Jack Sheedy celebrates with Paul Barden after the game Longford's Jack Sheedy and Paul Barden share a hug. Presseye / John McIlwaine/INPHO Presseye / John McIlwaine/INPHO / John McIlwaine/INPHO

British people were introduced to the world of Gaelic football on Saturday night

The sport made its Sky Sports debut this weekend and here’s a sample of what some first-timers thought:

End of the road for McDonnell

Farewell to Offaly’s Emmet McDonnell, the first managerial casualty of the season after he stepped down following their football qualifier defeat to Wicklow on Saturday.

Emmet McDonnell James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Surprise defeat for Tribeswomen

Throw-in for the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland senior camogie championship commenced on Saturday and there was an early upset. 2012 champions Wexford travelled to Athenry to take on 2013 champions Galway, and came away with a four-point win.

osie Dwyer is presented with the player of the match award by Annette Ni Dhathlaoi Wexford's Josie Dwyer is presented with the player of the match award by Annette Ni Dhathlaoi, Head of Marketing at Liberty Insurance. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

That’s gonna hurt

Laois midfielder John O’Loughlin was on the receiving end of a full-blooded shoulder from Fermanagh full-back Barry Mulrone.

Shoulder charge Balls.ie Balls.ie

RTÉ GAA on tour

Pat Spillane, Colm O’Rourke and Michael Lyster were in Portlaoise on Saturday for the Laois v Fermanagh game. No need for a studio given the nice weather in O’Moore Park.

Pat Spillane, Colm O'Rourke and Michael Lyster look on Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

A cut above the rest 

No one could touch Fiontán O Curraoin for midfield superiority in Markievicz Park on Saturday night. He made eight clean catches and was integral to Galway’s success. After leading the county to All-Ireland U21 glory in 2013, he’s really starting to make his mark on the senior stage.

Fiontan O'Curraoin James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

No show like a Joe show

“Hurling is the game that continues to give,” exclaimed one of RTÉ pundits after another incredible finish in the Leinster SHC semi-final between Kilkenny and Galway on Sunday.

Kilkenny led by ten points with six minutes to play but three Galway goals — two from Conor Cooney and a Joe Canning penalty — helped them force a replay.

During an exhilarating final moments, Henry Shefflin looked to have snatched it with a point from a seemingly impossible angle before Canning drew level deep in injury time.

Here’s that crucial score:

Joe Canning equaliser RTÉ Player RTÉ Player

Stat attack

Another Ulster final for Tir Conaill Men

Donegal are into their fourth consecutive Ulster SFC final thanks to a 3-16 to 0-12 win over Antrim in Clones. The sides had gone into the half-time break level on seven points apiece but two goals in the opening minutes of the second half, from Leo McLoone and Darach O’Connor, saw Jim McGunness’ men move out of sight.

Colm McFadden with Patrick Flood Colm McFadden of Donegal with Antrim goalkeeper Patrick Flood. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Kingdom overcome spirited Banner

In Munster, Kerry earned a four-point victory against Clare at Cusack Park with Paul Geaney (6) and Bryan Sheehan (4) chipping in with more than their fair share of scores. The Kingdom will contest their tenth provincial final in 12 years when they face Cork on 6 July.

Return of the Mc(Devitt)

Second Captains RTE

Second Captains made a long-awaited comeback to Irish airwaves with their RTÉ Radio 1 GAA show, which began at 6pm on Sunday. We’re regular listeners to their podcast but it’s good to have the lads back on the old wireless.

Third quarter blitz sees Donegal past Antrim in Ulster SFC semi-final

‘To win the game for us, it’s a fair testament to him’ – Brian Cuthbert on Aidan Walsh’s heroics

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