Offaly minor hurling and football teams named

Offaly team to play Carlow in MHC (5pm in Birr tomorrow)

1 Eoghan Cahill (Birr)
2 Rian Kelly (St Rynagh’s)
3 Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
4 Craig Taylor (Birr)
5 Daniel Doughan (Shinrone)
6 Conor Doughan (Shinrone)
7 Ben Conneely (St Rynagh’s)
8 Emmet Nolan (Birr) (captain)
9 Donal Mahon (Lusmagh)
10 Alan Spain (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
11 Dylan Murray (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
12 David Kelly (Belmont)
13 James Kilmartin (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
14 Colm Daly (St Rynagh’s)
15 Jordan Fogarty (Shinrone)


Offaly team to play Meath in Leinster MFC (3pm at Navan tomorrow)


1 Jason Dunne (Killurin)
2 Ken Hogan (Tullamore) (captain)
3 James Lawlor (Raheen)
4 Michael Keogh (Raheen)
5 James Hendy (Bracknagh)
6 Oisin Cusack (Durrow)
7 Alan Heffernan (Shamrocks)
8 Patrick Dunican (Shamrocks)
9 Declan Byrne (Raheen)
10 Dean McDonagh (Tullamore)
11 Adam Mangan (Kilclonfert)
12 James Evans (Gracefield)
13 Alan Geoghegan (Ballinamere)
14 Adam Shelly (Tullamore)
15 Rory McNamee (Rhode)

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Moyes to Move?

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Blog: Running Out of Patience

Brian Moss 

Running Out of Patience:

Sometimes running can feel like a chore but when you’re injured you really miss it.

It gets more and more difficult to drive through any major Irish town and not encounter a group of runners pounding the paths and the nation’s roadways. There have been so many negative aspects of the recession but one positive is the explosion of people who are swapping the steel toe for the gel cushion and getting out there and its time to out myself, I’m one of them. Yes were all getting in touch with our inner Forest Gump’s who famously ‘Just felt like running’ and once started didn’t really want to stop. Whether it’s better education on the importance of exercise, influences of programmes such as Operation Transformation or sheer boredom running is very much in vogue. Fun Runs have replaced hangover recovery for many as the Sunday morning ambition and this can certainly only be a good thing. I’m writing about running instead of been out there myself at present as I’m laid up with a back injury, and it’s only when you can’t run that you realise how much you miss it.

I would like to  be able to say I sustained my back injury in some heroic way, perhaps saving a family from a burning building or doling out food parcels in some far flung third world country, but unfortunately  it’s a tad bit more embarrassing, I did my back in whilst been thrown into a boot of a car.

No, no need not raise the alarm, this wasn’t a tiger kidnapping gone wrong, no this was yet more evidence that myself and my fellow 30 year old mates will never grow up. Horseplay would be the prognoses if my mother had seen it. Looking into my friends open boot in a car park a couple of weeks ago I happened to comment that his car had a really big boot, he took this to mean that I wanted to get in. A quick physics lesson for you now kids, when a 6’3 ginger bear wants to put a 5’8 cub into a boot there’s only going to be one winner, and despite my protests in I went, in the process pulling several muscles and a couple of ligaments in my back along the way - I’ve had better mornings.

A visit to the physio later here I am two weeks on from boot gate unable to run until my back recovers and starting to really miss putting on my Asics of an evening and heading off for a jog. Considering we had a pretty horrendous winter and  with the clock going back a couple of weeks ago  heralding the start of the most elusive Irish phenomenon’s – bright evenings I was really looking forward to actually being able to see where I was running, but alas its not to be. One of the more frustrating aspects of not been able to get out there and run is the feeling of wasting precious good weather days which we’ve had a few of lately. Anyone who’s lived in Ireland for at least one month will know how rare they can be. 

Running for many of us who were involved with GAA and Soccer clubs over the years was seen as some kind of punishment. The lap’s part of training was the prelude to actually having some fun and so initially it took me time to get to appreciate the simple act of running without a ball in sight. Initially I didn’t see the point but over the last couple of years I have certainly got the bug.  Runners should be honest though,  the actual process of putting one foot in front  of the other at a half decent pace isn’t the most enjoyable aspect of the whole thing, it’s the feeling when you finish that’s worth chasing. No doubt whether it’s a mile or a marathon you managed to complete, the sense of achievement really is all it’s cracked up to be. I’m sure I’m not revealing any state secrets here for those who already participate but if you are someone who is considering giving it a go take my advice you won’t regret it.

And so as I wait it out until I can get back on the right road literally my waist line unlike our economy  is already showing signs of growth and as I become generally more irritable to be around I’ve come to realise that I’m now a fully-fledged runner. So no more will you hear me complain as I often have in the past when travelling throughout the country about road runners not adhering to the two abreast unwritten rule, or being forced to take a lengthy detour because of yet another fun run, in fact now jealously  of those who can run  is my new complaint.

God I could do with a run!

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Offaly referees get League Semi Finals plus Minor Fixtures

Two Offaly referees have been appointed to the National Hurling League Semi Finals this Sunday

Clara's Brian Gavin will take charge of the 2 O'Clock opening game at Semple Stadium between Tipperary and Division One B winners Dublin

The second match is between All-Ireland champions Kilkenny and Galway at 3.45 where Ballyskenagh native Diarmuid Kiwan will be in charge


Laois' minor footballers will take on Longford in the Leinster Championship at O'Moore Park at 7.30 this Wednesday evening

In the Leinster Minor Hurling on Saturday it's a 3 O'Clock throw in for Kilkenny and Laois and Nowlan Park while Offaly versus Carlow is at O'Connor Park at 7pm

Offaly's minor footballers are also in action on Saturday where they play Meath at Navan at 3pm

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Ladies Football Semi Finals Details

This Sunday's Ladies National Football League Division Four Semi Final between Offaly and Antrim will be played at 2pm in the Monaghan village of Inniskeen

Sean Tracy Park in Tipperary will host the National Ladies Football League Division  One and Two Semi Finals involving Laois and Westmeath on Sunday the 28th of April

Westmeath's Division Two Semi with Kerry will throw in at 1.30pm while Laois' Division One last four clash with Cork is at 3.30pm

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Monday morning headlines

GOLF

Nine months after blowing a four-shot lead in the Open, Adam Scott last night gained sweet redemption with a dramatic Masters triumph at a rain-soaked Augusta.

Scott became the first Australian man to wear the famous green jacket when he defeated Angel Cabrera on the second playoff hole.

Australian Jason Day had led by two with three to play but bogeyed the 16th and 17th to finish seven under, with Tiger Woods, penalised two shots for an incorrect drop in Friday's second round, two further back after a closing 70 alongside another Australian, Marc Leishman.

Scott's win means all four majors have now been won by players using anchored putters, which the game's governing bodies propose to ban from 2016.

GAELIC GAMES

Laois have bounced straight back to Division One B of the National Hurling League

John Brophy's brace of first half goals and Tommy Fitzgerald's goal in the second half helped the O'Moores to a 3-14 to 1-9 win over Westmeath at O'Connor Park

Brendan Murtagh scored the Lake County's goal as they lost their second successive Division Two A Hurling Final

Laois and Offaly will be joined in Division One B next year by Cork, who lost to Clare in the 1A relegation game

Antrim retained their 1B status at the expense of Carlow

Dublin will play Tyrone in the Allianz Football League Division One Final on April 28th.

The Dubs beat All-Ireland finalists Mayo 2-16 to 16 points at Croke Park.

Tyrone got the better of Kildare by 2-15 to 2-11 in the curtain raiser

Ciaran Shanley's last gasp goal has sent Westmeath's minor footballers into the quarter finals of the Leinster Championship

The Lake County defeated Wexford by 1-10 to 0-10 at Cusack Park

Laois play Longford on Wednesday night while Offaly face Meath at the weekend

Shinrone and St Rynaghs will contest the Offaly Under 21 Hurling Final.

Shinrone were 3-13 to 2-11 winners over Kilcormac Killoughey while Rynaghs came from one point down at half time to beat Seir Kieran by nine points in the other semi final

CAMOGIE

Grainne Egan scored 2-7 as Offaly set up an All-Ireland Minor B Camogie Final with Wexford in a fortnight

The Faithful beat Antrim by 3-7 to 0-7

Westmeath's Under 16 Camogie team got the better of Kildare to reach the Leinster Final

Laois are set to play Roscommon in the Division Three League Semi Finals, the Rossies defeated Armagh in yesterday’s semi final

LADIES FOOTBALL

Dublin advanced to the Leinster Ladies Minor Football Final with a 5-11 to 1-7 win over Laois

Orla Fitzpatrick scored Laois' goal

RUGBY UNION

All-Ireland League rugby is coming to Tullamore.

The Leinster League champions beat Monivea by 26 points to 19 on Saturday

Tullamore will operate in Division Two B next year

Buccaneers will remain in Division One B following Saturday's results

Buccs won 9-6 Saturday night against Ballymena, Jack Carty kicked three penalties for the Pirates

In the Seconds Cup there were wins for Edenderry and Birr yesterday, Edenderry were 18-10 winners over County Carlow while Birr saw off Tullamore 22-20after extra time

In the Plate the Midland Warriors won 15-10 against Portlaoise

Athlone youngster Robbie Henshaw scored his first try for Connacht on Friday night as the in form westerners won away to Edinburgh in the Rabo Direct Pro 12

Brian O'Driscoll scored the match winning try as Leinster defeated Munster by 22 points to 16 at Thomond Park in the Rabo Direct Pro 12

Leinster had led at half time by 12 points to 10, with all their points coming from the boot of Ian Madigan

Munster's tries were scored by Ian Keatley and Felix Jones, Keatley added two more penalties in the second half

Munster fans will have been concerned by Donnacha O'Callaghan coming off with a knee injury in the second half

Leinster are now second, behind Ulster who won against the Dragons on Friday

Munster’s Paul O’Connell could be cited for a kick on Dave Kearney which left the Leinster man with a concussion

SOCCER

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero could face a retrospective ban, following a two footed tackle during yesterday's FA Cup semi-final 2-1 victory over Chelsea.

He scored the game's winning goal at Wembley, but also lunged at David Luiz in the second half.

The incident went unpunished by referee Chris Foy.

Garbhan Coughlan's second half goal gave Athlone Town a 1-0 win over Finn Harps on Friday night

It was Town's first home win and Finn Harps' first defeat of the season

Athlone travel to Longford for the derby this weekend

Tullamore Town remain third from bottom in the Leinster Senior League's Sunday Major Division following yesterday's 2-1 loss to Swords

Portlaoise side Dynamo Town were crowned CCFL Division Two champions yesterday

Their 3-1 win away to Coolraine saw them edge out Killeigh in the title race

In the Cotter Cup Semi Finals Arlington defeated Mullingar Athletic 3-2 while Willow Park set up a Counties Cup Semi Final with CK following their 5-0 victory against Rosenallis

Tonight in the Airtricty League Premier Division St Pats host Shelbourne at Richmond Park.

Shels are still looking for their first win of the league while the Saints go for three wins  in-a-row, kick off off is at 7.45.

HANDBALL

Billy Mullins and Jim Guilfoyle were crowned All-Ireland Doubles 40 by 20 Diamond Masters champions on Saturday

The Offaly duo got the better of Cork's Paddy Buckley and Chris Hurley at Nenagh

AMERICAN FOOTBALL

The Mullingar Minotaurs began life in Division One A of the Irish American Football League with a 20-6 loss away to Drogheda

The Minotaurs had kept the game scoreless until the third quarter before shipping 20 points, running back Dermot Corroon went over for a consolation touchline for Mullingar

BOXING

Mullingar's David Oliver Joyce took gold and won the boxer of the tournament award at the Gee Bee Multi-Nations in Finland yesterday

It was a dramatic win for the Athy clubman in the lightweight final as he defeated Italy's Fabio Introvaia on a countback

Dean Gardiner won a silver medal at the tournament while Darren O’Neill and Hugh Myres were both bronze medalists

Meanwhile the Irish elite team, including Moate's Joe Ward and Mullingar's John Joe Nevin, have returned home from their training camp in Kazahstan 

ATHLETICS

Kenenisa Bekele successfully defended his Irish Great Run title at the Phoenix Park yesterday

The Ethiopian clocked a time of 28 minutes 51 seconds in strong winds,  Stephen Scullion was the top Irish finisher in seventh overall 

It was an all British top three in the Women's race with Lauren Howarth first home, Linda Byrne was best of the Irish

The boy's 12-15 winner was Tullamore Harriers' Chilnnie Izuchukwi

While there was an Mullingar Harriers podium in the 9 to 11 age group.

Eoin Quinn was first with Andrew Shaw second and Andrew Daly third

Beatrice Drummond, also of Mullingar, won the girls 9-11

RACING

Rawaaq landed the 1000 Guineas trial at Leopardstown yesterday under Rhode jockey Pat Smullen

Trainer Dermot Weld says the fillie could now target the Irish 1000 Guineas

Epsom derby hopeful Battle Of Marengo won the Ballysax Stakes for the O'Briens

There were celebrations in Ballylinan on Saturday night as All Honours, owned by Christopher Morrissey, landed the two-mile five-furlong handicap hurdle at Tramore

Trained in Wicklow by Phillip Rothwell, All Honours was sent of at odds of 14-1 but ran much better than the betting suggested he would and powered to a four and a quarter length triumph from Robbie Kaydee.

He was ridden to victory by Brian O'Connell.

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CCFL Results and Round Up

O’Neill’s LFA Under 19 Cup Semi Final

St Patricks Ath 3, Tullamore Town 1

Ita Farrell Under 17 Cup Semi Finals

Portlaoise 2, Willow Park 8; Rosenallis 3, Longford Town 1 aet;

Combined Counties Youths Cup Quarter Final

Mullingar Ath 0, Edenderry Town 2;

C.C.F.L Under 19 Cup Quarter Final

Clongowes Wood 1 (11), Mullingar Ath 1 (12) aet;

Under 19 Division

Tullamore Town 3, Clongowes Wood 1;

Combined Counties Cup Quarter Final

Rosenallis 0, Willow Park 5;

Paddy Cotter Cup Semi Final

Arlington 3, Mullingar Ath 2;

Division 1 Cup Semi Final

Tullamore Town 1, Camlin Utd 0;

Division 1 Cup Quarter Final

Moate Celtic 3, Grange Utd 2;

Division 2 Cup Semi Final 1^st Leg

Noreside Celtic 3, Raharney 2;

Division 3 Cup Semi Finals

Colmcille Celtic 2, Clonown Rovers 1; Clara Town 2 (4), Melville Celtic 2 (3);

C.C.F.L Womens Shield Semi Final

Gallen Utd 0, Birr Town 4;

Senior Division

Melville United 1, Clara Town 1;

Premier Division

Stradbally Town 0, Mullingar Town 2; Mullingar Ath 3, Derry Rovers 1;

Division 1

Shinrone 4, Temple Villa 1; Clonbonny 3, Highfield Utd 2;

Division 1 Sat

Inny FC 3, Mostrim Utd 0;

Division 2

Coolraine 1, Dynamoe Town 3;

Division 3A

Portlaoise 5, Emo Celtic 2;

Division 3B

Horseleap Utd 5, Lawrencetown 0;

Division 3 Sat

Newtown FC 6, Rathowen FC 0; Longford Wanderers 4, Ballymahon 0

Division 4A

Mountmellick Utd 2, St Aengus 4;

Division 4B

Killoe FC 1, Monksland Utd 1; Derry Rovers 2, St James 0; Kilcormac Utd 3, St Carthages Ath 3; 

It was another big weekend in the C.C.F.L as the season rapidly moves towards an exciting climax with trophies now been handed out every week.

Dynamoe Town were the big winners this weekend when they clinched the Division 2 League title following a 3-1 win away to Coolraine a result which sees them leapfrog Killeigh to win it with a single point to spare at the top of the table.

 

In Cup action, it was mostly semi final action with several final line-ups decided. There was one outstanding Combined Counties Cup quarter final played where as expected Willow Park qualified for a semi final match up with C.K United following a clearcut 5-0 win away to Rosenallis.

There was a bit of a surprise in the first semi final of the Paddy Cotter Cup where Arlington repeated their League success over Mullingar Athletic in windy Edenderry on Sunday afternoon. The Portarlington men raced into a three goal first half lead thanks to a penalty from Dave Thorpe and a brace of goals from Barry Kenny. Mullingar, with the elements in their favour fought back strongly in the second half  to make it 3-2, but a determined rearguard action by Arlington secured their second successive final in this competition.

The Division 3 Cup final will see Division 3 Saturday outfit Colmcille Celtic take on Clara Town B from Division 3B after the Longford men edged out Clonown Rovers by the odd goal in three, but Clara had to rely on penalties to progress following a two all draw with Melville Celtic in the other semi final.

The final of the Under 17 Cup will be between Willow Park who convincingly defeated Portlaoise and Rosenallis who with C.C.F.L interleague player Cillian Calally in inspirational form came from behind to knock out Longford Town by three goals to one after extra time.

Mullingar Athletic completed the semi final lineup in the Under 19 Cup by knocking out Clongowes Wood in an extraordinary game. It finished one all after extra time with Mullingar prevailing by 12 penalties to 11 as every player on the pitch took at least one spot kick.

  

In other League action, Derry Rovers edged ever closer to the Division 4B title after they beat St James 2-0 and Longford Wanderers have the finishing line in their sights in Division 3 Saturday following a 4-0 win over Ballymahon.

Division 1 however is still very much up in the air with five teams still in with a mathematical chance of claiming the honours. On Sunday Shinrone had a very good victory over fellow hopefuls Temple Villa, while Clonbonny kept their slim hopes of a playoff alive with a 3-2 win over Highfield. Tullamore are in the strongest position however as a win over Temple Villa in their last game next Sunday will guarantee them the title. Any other result in this game though could open up a variety of possibilities where Clonaslee or Shinrone could snatch it, or there could also be several different playoff permutations.

 

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