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GAA

Your GAA championship weekend review

The Dubs get going, Cork set up Clare showdown and there’s a proper shemozzle in the north.

IT WAS ANOTHER epic weekend of GAA action up and down the country. Missed any of the drama? We’ve got you covered. 

Dublin fans on The Hill Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Tangled up in Blue

The Dubs clicked through the gears at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon in the Leinster SFC showdown with Laois.

Jim Gavin’s side ultimately ran out 2-21 to 0-16 winners but they didn’t have it all their own way. The sides trotted in at half-time with Laois two points up.

The champions’ substitutes managed 0-9 between them but the two crucial goals came from Diarmuid Connolly and then Michael Darragh MacAuley, after Bernard Brogan came off after just 23 minutes through injury.

Say what?

Wexford’s Adrian Flynn was refreshingly honest after the Dubs’ win.

What do you think of that?

Rebel yell

Cork set up a replay of last season’s All-Ireland deciders, as they eased past Waterford at the second time of asking. Having looked sluggish and rusty last time out at Semple Stadium, yesterday the Déise were no match for a sharper Rebels outfit.

What next for Waterford? It’s the backdoor route for Derek McGrath’s young side, but they leave Thurles with plenty of positives.  There was more injury worries though with Noel Connors going off with a groin injury while Colin Dunford picking up a knee problem.

Is this how to face down an Anthony Nash penalty?

Full marks to Waterford’s Stephen O’Keeffe. Crazy stuff though:

JoeHarrington / YouTube

Stat attack

“Cork’s 14 point win over Waterford today is their biggest over the Deise since the 1990 Munster semi-final” – via @hurlingstats

Talking points

Andy Moran and Aidan O'Shea celebrate at the final whistle James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

  • Aidan, Seamus and Conor O’Shea all lined out for Mayo today from the start against Roscommon. First time since the 40s that three brothers have played together in championship for the Connacht side. Last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists scraped past the Rossies… by a single point. 
  • Paudie O’Sullivan was back in action for Cork in the championship for the first time since the 2012 All-Ireland hurling semi-final. The Cloyne man broke his fibula and tibula in club game in April 2013.
  • There was a little bit of a worry for the Dubs as Bernard Brogan went off with a “cramp” in the first half. Medical protocols — as Jim Gavin is wont to say — were activated but he seemed happy Berno will be fit for the semis.
  • After the weekend’s action, Dublin have further cemented their status as favourites for provincial honours again as they are now 1/8. The Dubs will now face Wexford, who are 20/1 for Leinster success, in the semis.
  • Kildare had their game with Louth wrapped up by half-time at Croker. Jason Ryan’s side impressed, running out 1-7 to 1-22 winners in their provincial quarter-final.

Ugly scenes

The two teams clash before the game Presseye / William Cherry/INPHO Presseye / William Cherry/INPHO / William Cherry/INPHO

You’ll be hearing a lot more about the fall-out from this incident over the course of the coming days.

Before Armagh and Cavan threw in, a dozen or so players got involved in a scrap during the parade. Cavan’s Martin Dunne — who scored nine points in last year’s game between the two — was unable to start the game as a result of the brawl. The Orchard went on to win 1-12 to nine points.

Celticfan4ever1888 / YouTube

Honest fan sign of the day

This Mayo fan at Dr Hyde Park admits he should be studying. Yes you should, young man.

A Mayo fan with a sign James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

And it’s live!

SKY GAA

On Saturday night, Sky Sports made their debut after their historic TV deal with the GAA. And it was fun.

Jamesie O’Connor proved adept at the technology and joined Ollie Canning on the panel.

WYSE

SKY GAA2

Here’s the highlights from the Cats’ facile win over the Faithful. Sky were quick enough to upload them to YouTube, which is nice.

Sky Sports / YouTube

What did you make of the British broadcaster’s championship bow? English viewers lost their minds.

What’s next?

It’s a quick turnaround for the Rebels after their win over Waterford. JBM will share the sideline with Davy in Thurles again next Sunday. The night before that, Wexford and Dublin will be on Sky while there’s two fixtures in Ulster.

In the football, Meath are back with a clash against Carlow, Waterford take on Clare in a replay on Saturday night while Monaghan and Tyrone meet in Clones in front of the RTÉ cameras on Sunday afternoon.

Stopping an Anthony Nash penalty involves standing two yards in front of him

Mass brawl as Armagh beat Cavan in the Ulster SFC quarter-final

 

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