Rochford relieved to get second shot

Mayo manager Stephen Rochford cut a relieved figure after today’s pulsating drawn All-Ireland SFC quarter-final with Roscommon. Rochford is hoping his battle-weary team can improve ahead of the replay, which has been confirmed for the August Bank Holiday Monday in Croke Park. “We’re maybe lucky to have got that (a second chance),” he admitted to RTÉ.…

McStay welcomes more big-match experience

Kevin McStay expects the experience of playing in Croke Park to bring his Roscommon team on in leaps and bounds. The Rossies showed few signs of stage fright in drawing with Mayo, despite having little or no experience of playing at GAA headquarters before today. “We have never played here before, all the young players bar…

Burns eager to continue for another season

Eamonn Burns is hoping to remain on as Down football manager for a third year. Burns was appointed to the position in November 2015,  where the former All-Ireland winning midfielder endured a torrid first season at the helm which failed to yield a win in both league and championship. The Mourne County’s 23-month winless run…

Clarke relishing quarter-final test

Jamie Clarke says Armagh are eagerly looking forward to next weekend’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Dublin or Tyrone after their superb win over Kildare. The gifted Crossmaglen attacker produced a man of the match performance as Kieran McGeeney’s men upset the odds with a three-point victory at Croke Park. “We’re now in an All-Ireland quarter-final…

Coulter confident about Down’s chances

Benny Coulter believes Down can bounce back from their Ulster SFC disappointment today. Eamonn Burns’ charges put one over the Farney County in the Ulster SFC semi-final and former Mourne County great Coulter thinks they can repeat the trick in this evenings All-Ireland SFC qualifier at Croke Park. “Monaghan don’t have as good a record…

Ryan rules out Barrett return

Tipperary manager Michael Ryan has officially ruled out a return to the panel for All Star corner-back Cathal Barrett before the end of this season. Barrett was dropped from the All-Ireland champions’ squad in the days after their Munster SHC quarter-final against Cork on May 21st. The 24-year-old was back club action with Holycross-Ballycahill last Sunday…

Quinn sounds rallying call to countymen

Leitrim legend Seamus Quinn believes that it is time for players in the county to start believing in themselves. Quinn managed the county’s junior footballers to an All-Ireland semi-final where they were defeated by Kerry last weekend. The 1994 All-Star and Connacht SFC medal winner states in the Leitrim Observer that there has to be…

Connolly not happy yet with his season

Roscommon forward Cian Connolly has stressed that they are not just going to settle for a Connacht SFC title this year. The Rossies lifted provincial honours last month for the first time since 2010, when they produced an excellent display to defeat defending champions Galway in the decider. There were great scenes of jubilation following…

Delighted McGurk sets sights on All-Ireland semi

Derry U21 hurling boss Collie McGurk says he’s looking forward to his charges “getting a run” at Kilkenny in next month’s All-Ireland semi-final. The Oak Leafers delivered their first provincial title in the grade since 2008 with a 3-17 to 1-09 demolishment of Down last night and afterwards their manager reserved plenty of praise for the young…

Creedon quits Laois after first season

Laois are on the look out for a new manager for the second time in just two season as Peter Creedon has resigned his post as senior football manager after just one season in charge. The Cork native was appointed O’Moore County boss last September but endured a very disappointing 2017 campaign which saw his…