all ireland fixtures 2020 Archives - SportsNewsIreland

A Combined Hurling XV with 2 players per county

JoeNa Connacht — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 09:13:35 +0000

After confirmation by the Government that the All Ireland hurling Championship can begin as planned at the weekend, it got us thinking. What if we could put a team together capable of winning the 2020 All Ireland?

So we have gone and done it. The only rule in this combined XV. A maximum of two players per county can be selected.

Enda Rowland (Laois)

A vital member of the Laois team that made it through to the All Ireland quarter final in 2019, the Abbeyleix man was made captain for the 2020 season such is his importance to Eddie Brennan’s men.

2. Sean Finn (Limerick)

The quintessential modern day corner back, the Bruff player’s versatility in his defensive play is what marks him out among the game’s elite defenders.

3 Liam Ryan (Wexford)

Big, strong and physical the Rapparees man is also a brilliant hurler, as his point against Tipperary in the 2019 All Ireland semi final proves.

4. Paddy Smyth (Dublin)

The Clontarf man only made his senior Championship debut for Dublin in 2018 but has already shown himself to be one of the finest corner backs in Ireland with his displays since his arrival on the scene.

What a save!! Paddy Smyth you legend @GAA_BEO pic.twitter.com/5vBXzyJRz7

— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) February 25, 2019

5 Padraic Mannion (Galway)

The Galway captain for 2020 is without doubt one of the finest hurlers in the country when he is in full flow. At his best when he is driving out of the Galway defence, Mannion will be relied upon by Shane O Neill, as the Galway boss looks to lead Galway back into the picture for another All Ireland after a disappointing 2019.

6. Padraig Walsh (Kilkenny)

An all round brilliant hurler. Every team would love to have a player like the Tullaroan man. A two time All-Star, Walsh is the glue which holds the Kilkenny defence together. Designated to fill the problem position of full back for a couple of seasons before Hugh Lawlor’s introduction, Brian Cody now has the luxury of using Walsh out the field.

7. Padraic Maher (Tipperary)

The iron man of the Tipp defence, six time All-Star Padraic Maher has been a shining light for Tipperary since he made his debut in 2009. His ability under a high ball is sensational, as his ability to read the game from the half back line, while his ability to pop up with scores on a consistent level mark him out as one of the hurlers of his generation.

8 Tony Kelly (Clare)

One of the finest hurlers to ever come out of Clare, Kelly could have been selected in a number of positions on this select XV. A previous hurler of the year winner, Kelly has been a stalwart of the Clare team since he burst on the scene in 2012. Still only 26, its a scary thought for opposition managers and players that the Ballyea man should now only be hitting his hurling prime.

9. Jamie Barron (Waterford)

Jamie Barron gets a classy point for @WaterfordGAA pic.twitter.com/8triBiA3af

— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 8, 2019

A two time All-Star, Barron has often been the highlight in a struggling Waterford side over the last couple of years. A bundle of energy in midfield with a fair helping of class to go with it, Barron has managed to maintain his excellent form even if his team’s performances in the Championship have slipped.

10. Lee Chin (Wexford)

The Faythe Harriers star was instrumental for Wexford in 2019 as they won their first Leinster in 15 years, and pushed Tipperary all the way in their All Ireland semi final. Awarded his first All Star for his performances, Chin will again be vital as Davy Fitzgerald’s team look to make further progress in the Championship in 2020.

11. TJ Reid (Kilkenny)

One of the best hurlers of his generation, Reid is undoubtedly the leader of Kilkenny hurling these days. Deadly accurate from placed balls and open play, Reid is also a ferocious winner of ball anywhere in the forward line. This enables him to pick off scores himself or lay on assists for his teammates, which he does better than anyone else.

What a goal for Kilkenny's TJ Reid!! pic.twitter.com/cRBPUUbHJR

— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 11, 2019

12. Joe Canning (Galway)

This Joe Canning point won @Galway_GAA an All-Ireland Hurling Final spot! Tell us what magic moments you think we'll see tomorrow! #GALvWAT pic.twitter.com/ZRcyWjBEJv

— The GAA (@officialgaa) September 2, 2017

The Portumna man took his own personal form to new levels at the back end of the 2010’s, culminating in finally winning the All Ireland in 2017. Canning was also the Hurler of the year that year, an award he could have easily won again in 2018 as his game went to even higher standards. A poor year in 2019 for his county that included a long term injury for the 32 year old, means both Canning and his teammates should be raring to go when their 2020 Championship gets underway.

13. Aaron Gillane (Limerick)

The Patrickswell forward is improving with each year he is in a Limerick jersey. A back to back All Star winner in 2018 and 2019, Gillane is now one of the most feared inside forwards in the game.

14. Seamus Callanan Tipperary

The most devastating forward in hurling today. Callanan fittingly won the Hurler of the Year award for his exploits with Tipperary in 2019, when he catapulted his already stellar career to even greater heights. He scored eight goals in the 2019 Championship, one in every game as he led his county to his third All Ireland medal and fourth All-Star. He also overtook Henry Shefflin as the highest ever Championship scorer from open play.

15. Patrick Horgan Cork

Still to win an All Ireland, don’t let that underestimate just how great a player Patrick Horgan really is. The third highest scorer in Championship history, Horgan has been the highest scoring free taker of the last decade. His scoring record from play stacks up against the best as well however, with only Seamus Callanan scoring more from play over the last decade than the Glen Rovers man.

Patrick Horgan scores Cork's second goal against Kilkenny at Croke Park – See the highlights tonight @rte2 and the RTÉ Player from 9.30pm #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/PTLHlb8VVr

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 14, 2019

The post A Combined Hurling XV with 2 players per county appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Top 5 Forwards in Gaelic Football

JoeNa Connacht — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 11:20:53 +0000

Top 5 Forwards in Gaelic Football

Below are the 5 players we believe to be the best forwards in Gaelic football today

Do you Agree?

Ciaran Kilkenny ( Dublin )

When talking about the best forwards in the country the Castleknock man has to be right near the top of any discussion.

An automatic pick on the dominant Dubs of the last decade, Kilkenny is the pivot on which Dublin base most of their forward play.

Whether he plays in the half forward line, full forward line or out around the middle the 27 year old is always available for a pass and is always a huge contributor to the scores that Dublin put on the scoreboard, either scoring himself or assisting his teammates.

Con O’ Callaghan ( Dublin )

A gifted hurler also, Con O Callaghan is well on his way to becoming one of the truly great forwards in gaelic football if he continues to turn in performances for Dublin like he has in his career to date.

Since his switch to the inside forward line, O Callaghan has taken his game to new heights, and is already regarded as possibly the most feared forward in the country.

A powerhouse inside now, he has taken the art of running directly at his man to new levels, and has proven himself to be the man for the big occasion, with that x factor in front of goals that very few players possess.

Conor McManus ( Monaghan )

No player has contributed more to Monaghan’s development over the course of the past decade than their superstar forward Conor McManus. The Clontibret star has positioned himself as one of the best forwards in the game and fully justifies his place on this list.

What makes the Monaghan man great is the fact that he is regularly double marked by some of the best defenders in the game but yet he always delivers for his county and never shies away from the challenge.

He consistently performs on the big stage against the top teams who have game plans tailored around stopping him, while he always seems to provide at least a couple of magical moments that beggar belief every season.

David Clifford ( Kerry )

Already a superstar in gaelic games and still only 21, Clifford is the most talked about gaelic footballer in many years. From his minor days with the all conquering Kerry side to now, he has established himself as a generational talent in a county that prides itself on creating top quality footballers and champions.

His ability to conjure a score is matched already by only a select few, while his physical attributes have allowed him to make the jump from underage to senior without any problems.

His inability to shirk the responsibility of playing for the Kerry senior team and being the main man in attack already is another admirable quality of the young star, a trait backed up by the fact that he is the captain of the team this year.

Shane Walsh ( Galway )

Underachievers for too long, Galway set about rebuilding themselves with the appointment of county legend Padraig Joyce as senior manager for 2020, and as the National Football League was suggesting before it was stopped earlier in the year the new manager was well on his way to bringing a swagger and attacking style back to the Tribesmen.

Key to this is star forward and captain for this year, Shane Walsh. Long accepted as one of the most gifted footballers in the country a switch into the full forward line by the new manager seems to have brought further improvement in the 26 year old.

Galway’s attacking plan now seems to be built around getting the ball into Walsh in the inside line quickly where he can do the most damage to opponents. If this plan continues working as well as it was before football was halted, the manager’s ambition to win everything in 2020 may not seem as far fetched as first thought.

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Preview, Fixtures & Tables – Munster and Leinster Hurling Championship

JoeNa Connacht — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 08:06:24 +0000

The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship begins on October 24^th. Similar to the football championship, each fixture will be finalised on the day, utilising penalties if necessary. The GAA have confirmed that the 2020 Hurling Championship will also adopt a knockout format. However a back-door system will be implemented in addition to this, giving teams an alternative avenue to the 2020 SHC Final. Up-to-date fixtures for this year’s competition are listed below.

Leinster hurling fixtures

Quarter-Final (Oct 24^th/25^th)

Laois vs Dublin

Semi-Finals (Oct 31^st/Nov 1^st)

Galway vs Wexford

Kilkenny vs Laois/Dublin

Final (Nov 14^th/15^th)

Semi-Final Winner 1 vs Semi-Final Winner 2

Munster hurling fixtures

Quarter-Final (Oct 25^th)

Limerick vs Clare

Semi-Finals (Oct 31^st/Nov 1^st)

Cork vs Waterford

Tipperary vs Limerick/Clare

Final (Nov 15^th)

Semi-Final Winner 1 vs Semi-Final Winner 2

All-Ireland Championship

Round 1 (2 games) (Nov 7^th/8^th)

Round 2 (2 games) (Nov 14^th/15^th)

Quarter-Finals (2 games) (Nov 21^st/22^nd)

Semi-Finals (Nov 28^th/29^th);

Leinster Champions vs Quarter-Final Winner

Munster Champions vs Quarter-Final Winner

Final (Dec 13^th)

Semi-Final Winner 1 vs Semi-Final Winner 2

Preview

Leinster

Last year’s finalists Kilkenny will begin their campaign against either Dublin or Laois in the Leinster provincial semi-final encounter. Despite a heavy defeat against Tipperary in the 2019 final, Kilkenny will be aiming to go one better this year and claim the championship. To achieve this they may need to rely once more on star centre-forward and last year’s top scorer TJ Reid.

Galway and Wexford may be Kilkenny’s biggest challengers at provincial level. Galway were victorious in the 2017 All-Ireland final and then narrowly beaten in the 2018 final. Wexford will look to retain their Leinster title. Given the congested fixture list due to a delayed start to this season’s championship, each team will be determined to bypass the preliminary quarter-final stage and cement their place at the semi-finals.

Anything can happen during a knock-out style tournament and teams like Dublin and Laois will need to take a few scalps if they hope to progress in this season’s championship.

Munster

Reigning champions Tipperary kick off the new season with a clash against Limerick or Clare in the Munster Championship semi-final. Cork face Waterford in the other semi-final. Despite the fact that Waterford failed to win a single game in the 2019 Munster Championship, they have performed to a high level in this season’s Allianz Hurling Division 1. They were sitting in second place in Group 1 before the season was curtailed.

Akin to Waterford, Clare also had a successful 2019 Allianz League campaign as they finished top of Division 1 Group 2 above Wexford and 2019 finalists Kilkenny. They will battle it out against 2018 All-Ireland champions Limerick who will be hoping to go one further and reach the All-Ireland final this season.

There is a sense of optimism around the county that this Limerick team can recreate their triumphant win two years ago after John Kiely’s return to the managerial position. The quarter-final encounter between Clare and Limerick will double up as the Munster Allianz League Division 1 final.

Prediction

Tipperary remain strong favourites to retain the Liam McCarthy Cup. However there are plenty of teams that may fancy their chances this year, especially under the new format where any team can win on their day. Limerick, Kilkenny, Galway and Cork to name a few, will all be eager to knock Tipperary off their throne. It is set to be an exciting All-Ireland Hurling Championship which will come to a climax on December 13^th in Croke Park.

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List of 2020 National Hurling League and All Ireland Fixtures

JoeNa Connacht — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 10:46:35 +0000

We have the list of 2020 National Hurling League and All Ireland Fixtures. Click here for this Weekends GAA club hurling and Football fixtures.

Saturday 17/Sunday 18 October

Allianz FL Division 1 round 6
Dublin v Meath, Croke Park, TBC
Galway v Mayo, Pearse Stadium, TBC
Donegal v Tyrone, Ballybofey, TBC
Monaghan v Kerry, Inniskeen, TBC

Allianz FL Division 2 round 6
Westmeath v Laois, TEG Cusack Park, TBC
Clare v Fermanagh, Cusack Park, TBC
Armagh v Roscommon, Athletic Grounds, TBC
Kildare v Cavan, Newbridge, TBC

Allianz FL Division 3 round 6
Down v Leitrim, Pairc Esler, TBC
Derry v Longford, Celtic Park, TBC
Cork v Louth, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, TBC
Tipperary v Offaly, Semple Stadium, TBC

Allianz FL Division 4 round 6
Wicklow v Antrim, Aughrim, TBC
Waterford v London, Fraher Field, TBC
Limerick v Wexford, Rathkeale, TBC
Carlow v Sligo, Netwatch Cullen Park, TBC

Ulster MFC first round
Monaghan v Cavan, Clones, TBC

Allianz HL Division 2A final
Antrim v Kerry, TBC, TBC

Allianz HL Division 2B final
Down v Derry, TBC, TBC

Allianz HL Division 3B final
Sligo v Leitrim, TBC, TBC

Wednesday 21 October

Leinster U20HC round 1
Antrim or Down v Dublin, TBC, TBC
Laois v Carlow, TBC, TBC
Offaly v Westmeath, TBC, TBC

Saturday 24/Sunday 25 October

Allianz FL Division 1 round 7
Monaghan v Meath, Clones, TBC
Mayo v Tyrone, MacHale Park, TBC
Kerry v Donegal, Austin Stack Park, TBC
Galway v Dublin, Pearse Stadium, TBC

Allianz FL Division 2 round 7
Kildare v Westmeath, Newbridge, TBC
Cavan v Roscommon, Kingspan Breffni, TBC
Clare v Armagh, Cusack Park, TBC
Fermanagh v Laois, Brewster Park, TBC

Allianz FL Division 3 round 7
Longford v Cork, Glennon Bros Pearse Park, TBC
Offaly v Derry, O’Connor Park, TBC
Leitrim v Tipperary, Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, TBC
Louth v Down, Drogheda, TBC

Allianz FL Division 4 round 7
Antrim v Waterford, Glenavy, TBC
Sligo v Limerick, Markievicz Park, TBC
London v Carlow, Ruislip, TBC
Wexford v Wicklow, Chadwicks Wexford Park, TBC

Leinster SHC quarter-final
Laois v Dublin, TBC, TBC

Munster SHC quarter-final
Limerick v Clare, TBC, TBC

Joe McDonagh Cup round 1
Kerry v Meath, TBC, TBC
Antrim v Westmeath, TBC, TBC

Christy Ring Cup quarter-finals
Down v London, TBC, TBC
Offaly v Kildare, TBC, TBC
Roscommon v Wicklow, TBC, TBC
Derry v Sligo, TBC, TBC

Nicky Rackard Cup quarter-finals
Armagh v Leitrim, TBC, TBC
Warwickshire v Tyrone, TBC, TBC
Donegal v Longford, TBC, TBC
Monaghan v Mayo, TBC, TBC

Lory Meagher Cup round 1
Louth v Fermanagh, TBC, TBC
Cavan v Lancashire, TBC, TBC

Friday 23/Saturday 24/Sunday 25 October

Ulster MFC quarter-finals
Derry v Armagh, Celtic Park, TBC
Donegal v Tyrone, Ballybofey, TBC
Antrim v Monaghan or Cavan, Antrim venue or Kingspan Breffni, TBC
Fermanagh v Down, Brewster Park, TBC

Tuesday 27 October

Leinster U20HC quarter-finals
Antrim or Down or Dublin v Offaly or Westmeath, TBC, TBC
Galway v Laois or Carlow, TBC, TBC

Saturday 31 October/Sunday 1 November

Connacht SFC quarter-finals
London v Roscommon, TBC, TBC
Mayo v Leitrim, TBC, TBC

Leinster SFC first round
Louth v Longford, TBC, TBC
Wexford v Wicklow, TBC, TBC
Carlow v Offaly, TBC, TBC

Munster SFC quarter-finals
Waterford v Limerick, Fraher Field, TBC
Tipperary v Clare, Semple Stadium, TBC

Ulster SFC preliminary round
Monaghan v Cavan, TBC, TBC

Ulster SFC quarter-finals
Derry v Armagh, TBC, TBC
Donegal v Tyrone, TBC, TBC
Monaghan or Cavan v Antrim, TBC, TBC
Fermanagh v Down, TBC, TBC

Leinster SHC semi-finals
Galway v Wexford, TBC, TBC
Kilkenny v Laois or Dublin, TBC, TBC

Munster SHC semi-finals
Cork v Waterford, TBC, TBC
Tipperary v Limerick or Clare, TBC, TBC

Joe McDonagh Cup round 2
Carlow v Antrim, TBC, TBC
Westmeath v Kerry, TBC, TBC

Christy Ring Cup semi-finals
Quarter-final winner v quarter-final winner, TBC, TBC
Quarter-final winner v quarter-final winner, TBC, TBC

Christy Ring Cup relegation semi-finals
Quarter-final loser v quarter-final loser, TBC, TBC
Quarter-final loser v quarter-final loser, TBC, TBC

Nicky Rackard Cup semi-finals
Quarter-final winner v quarter-final winner, TBC, TBC
Quarter-final winner v quarter-final winner, TBC, TBC

Nicky Rackard Cup relegation semi-finals
Quarter-final loser v quarter-final loser, TBC, TBC
Quarter-final loser v quarter-final loser, TBC, TBC

Lory Meagher Cup round 2
Lancashire v Louth, TBC, TBC
Fermanagh v Cavan, TBC, TBC

Saturday 7/Sunday 8 November

Connacht SFC semi-finals
Sligo v Galway, Markievicz Park, TBC
Mayo or Leitrim v London or Roscommon, TBC, TBC

Leinster SFC quarter-finals
Laois v Louth or Longford, TBC, TBC
Meath v Wexford or Wicklow, TBC, TBC
Kildare v Carlow or Offaly, TBC, TBC
Westmeath v Dublin, TBC, TBC

Munster SFC semi-finals
Cork v Kerry, TBC, TBC
Waterford or Limerick v Clare or Tipperary, TBC, TBC

All-Ireland SHC qualifiers round 1
Beaten Leinster quarter-finalist or semi-finalist v beaten Munster quarter-finalist or semi-finalist, TBC, TBC
Beaten Leinster quarter-finalist or semi-finalist v beaten Munster quarter-finalist or semi-finalist, TBC, TBC

Joe McDonagh Cup round 3A
Carlow v Meath, TBC, TBC

Christy Ring Cup relegation final
Relegation semi-final loser v relegation semi-final loser, TBC, TBC

Nicky Rackard Cup relegation final
Relegation semi-final loser v relegation semi-final loser, TBC, TBC

Lory Meagher Cup round 3
Fermanagh v Lancashire, TBC, TBC
Cavan v Louth, TBC, TBC

Leinster U20HC semi-finals
Wexford v Antrim or Down or Dublin or Offaly or Westmeath, TBC, TBC
Kilkenny v Galway or Laois or Carlow, TBC, TBC

Saturday 14/Sunday 15 November

Connacht SFC final
Sligo or Galway v Mayo or Leitrim or London or Roscommon, TBC, TBC

Leinster SFC semi-finals
Meath or Wexford or Wicklow v Kildare or Carlow or Offaly, TBC, TBC
Laois or Louth or Longford v Westmeath or Dublin, TBC, TBC

Ulster SFC semi-finals
Donegal or Tyrone v Derry or Armagh, TBC, TBC
Fermanagh or Down v Monaghan or Cavan or Antrim, TBC, TBC

All-Ireland SHC qualifiers round 2
Beaten Leinster quarter-finalist or semi-finalist v round 1 winner, TBC, TBC
Beaten Munster quarter-finalist or semi-finalist v round 1 winner, TBC, TBC

Leinster SHC final
Galway or Wexford v Kilkenny or Laois or Dublin, TBC, TBC

Munster SHC final
Cork or Waterford v Tipperary or Limerick or Clare, TBC, TBC

Joe McDonagh Cup round 3B
Antrim v Kerry, TBC, TBC

Christy Ring Cup final
Semi-final winner v semi-final winner, TBC, TBC

Nicky Rackard Cup final
Semi-final winner v semi-final winner, TBC, TBC

Lory Meagher Cup final
1st placed team v 2nd placed team, TBC, TBC

Leinster U20HC final

Saturday 21 November

Leinster SFC final
Meath or Wexford or Wicklow or Kildare or Carlow or Offaly v Laois or Louth or Longford or Westmeath or Dublin, TBC, TBC

All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals
Beaten Leinster finalist v round 2 winner, TBC, TBC
Beaten Munster finalist v round 2 winner, TBC, TBC

Joe McDonagh Cup round 4
Meath v Westmeath, TBC, TBC
Kerry v Carlow, TBC, TBC

Sunday 22 November

Munster SFC final
Cork or Kerry v Waterford or Limerick or Clare or Tipperary, TBC, TBC

Ulster SFC final
Donegal or Tyrone or Derry or Armagh v Fermanagh or Down or Monaghan or Cavan or Antrim, TBC, TBC

All-Ireland U20HC final
Leinster winner v Munster winner, TBC, TBC

Saturday 28 November

All-Ireland SHC semi-final
Leinster winner v quarter-final winner, TBC, TBC

Joe McDonagh Cup round 5
Meath v Antrim, TBC, TBC
Westmeath v Carlow, TBC, TBC

Sunday 29 November

All-Ireland SHC semi-final
Munster winner v quarter-final winner, TBC, TBC

Saturday 28/Sunday 29 November

All-Ireland MFC semi-finals
Leinster winner v Ulster winner, TBC, TBC
Connacht winner v Munster winner, TBC, TBC

All-Ireland MHC semi-final
Leinster or Munster winner v Galway, TBC, TBC

Saturday 5 December

All-Ireland SFC semi-final
Leinster winner v Ulster winner, TBC, TBC

Sunday 6 December

All-Ireland SFC semi-final
Connacht winner v Munster winner, TBC, TBC

Saturday 5/Sunday 6 December

All-Ireland MFC final
Semi-final winner v semi-final winner, TBC, TBC

All-Ireland MHC final
Leinster or Munster winner or Galway v Leinster or Munster winner, TBC, TBC

Sunday 13 December

All-Ireland SHC final
Semi-final winner v semi-final winner, TBC, TBC

Joe McDonagh Cup final
1st placed team v 2nd placed team, TBC, TBC

Saturday 19 December

All-Ireland SFC final
Semi-final winner v semi-final winner, TBC, TBC