Sean Moran

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Sean Moran |Seán Moran

There is little weight attached to the concerns of beaten managers. This is something Brian Cody well understood and on the odd occasion when Kilkenny’s championship ended in defeat, he was generally nothing but respectful of the winners. His strong view that the better team was always ahead on the scoreboard at the final whistle may have suited a county enjoying serial success but for all the lack of nuance, it had an essential truth.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Sean Moran |Seán Moran

Kevin McStay is to step back from his duties as manager of the Mayo footballers “for the immediate future” in order to deal with “some personal health issues”. In his third year as manager, McStay became unwell at a training session on Saturday and was taken for tests to hospital where he remains under observation. This removes him from the sideline for next Saturday’s All-Ireland group match against Tyrone in Omagh.

1 week ago | irishtimes.com | Sean Moran |Seán Moran

Galway made their history at a packed Parnell Park on Sunday with a very first championship win away against Dublin. The match itself was a more prosaic affair and the home team at no stage looked likely to maintain their pristine record in the fixture. Former Dublin manager Micheál Donoghue returned to the capital with Galway and comfortably achieved the victory. They dominated the puck-outs and their forwards were sharper and more accurate.

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Sean Moran |Seán Moran

“Thirty-five years ago, a group of men won the 1889 hurling championship of Ireland. They were associated with the drapery trade of Dublin and had adopted a name of historic significance. At Croke Park yesterday a Kickhams selection again won an Irish hurling championship from last year’s victors.

2 weeks ago | irishtimes.com | Sean Moran |Seán Moran

Wexford v Kilkenny, Wexford Park, 2pm – Unlike the terrific contests of recent years between these two when no perceived gap, however large, appeared unbridgeable for Wexford and their spiritual leader Lee Chin, this is a dead rubber with all that implies for match excitement and crowd engagement. Keith Rossiter’s team were very unlucky to concede a phantom goal to Dublin at a critical stage but overall, it’s been a dull year between relegation in the league and the faltering championship.