Irish Independent GAA Correspondent

Joined December 2012
The roar for Darragh Beirne's goal today felt like it shook the stands more than Kevin McManamon goal or Stephen Cluxton free for Dublin in 2011. Haven't heard anything like it in Croke Park.
12
8
1
410
39,155
White for Mayo forever more! What a courageous performance, from back to front. They hit everything that moved. A fitting end to a wonderful championship.
2
1
50
3,691
There can't have been two more influential performances from a hurling forward who doesn't score in back-to-back hurling championship games in Croke Park than Gearoid Hegarty over the last two weeks. Phenomenal. And so selfless.
1
2
23
4,453
Measure of Ciaran Kilkenny was when the music lowered after 2020, his standards didn't in the next two years when Dublin's only All-Star. Unlucky not to get 2018 FOTY. 'I was raised to win All-Irelands,' he said in 2013 after spurning AFL career. And he did. Supreme architect.
3
5
273
20,738
2-17 from 3-23 from Mayo full forward. Last time v Cork, 0-19 from 0-23. Over 75pc from two games. Kobe McDonald lifting all boats.
2
8
3,653
What a result of Wicklow, and the Tailteann Cup. The first Division 4 winners in its five years. Magnificent one-to-one defensive moments, especially from Darragh Fee and Malachy Stone. And the Hill 16 posts!!
24
2,827
As broken as Cork looked in that second half again, that was some Galway performance. Jason Rabbitte has seen off some hardened defensive veterans this summer. Kept his team in touch when they were drifting at times in first half.
2
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26
5,794
Wheel turns full circle for Ger Brennan. Galway, against who he picked up his three month ban, seen off with another performance full of character from his team. Niall Scully having quite a year.
4
1
67
9,939
Mayo and Louth, two teams that lost their provincial semi-finals in April by 10 points, into an All-Ireland semi-final. Correction on earlier, draw is only open if Galway beat Dublin.
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47
15,229
What a performance from Louth. A long time since a player dominated the middle in Croke Park like Dara McDonnell. Magnificent fielding. Tadhg McDonnell really opened the game up with his pace when he came on. First All-Ireland semi-final for Louth since 1957.
2
1
1
119
54,731
Kobe McDonald at ease in Croke Park (or any pitch!), Ryan O' Donoghue architect of everything, Darragh Beirne the left footed kicker Mayo missed for so long. 0-19 from 0-23 between them. But Enda Hession v Chris Og Jones and Donnacha McHugh v Steven Sherlock huge Mayo wins.
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3
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157
18,180
Massive result for Dublin, completely outplayed Donegal. Great leadership from Ciaran Kilkenny, Niall Scully, Con O'Callaghan. Colm Basquel's return over the last two weekends has really transformed them. Project No.2 for Jim McGuinness under a real cloud now.
4
86
19,790
Incredible finish in Inniskeen. Louth clearly reap the dividend of using it for home advantage. Four from four there now. Meath, Cork and Armagh in championship, Meath in the league.
18
3,360
Great Meath win in Derry, where they couldn't win at their peak in '80s/'90s. And for a long time before too. Donal Keogan again underlines his quality, best Meath player of post Boylan era.
5
1
95
8,914
Limerick win the latest battle but the outcome of the war still very much in dispute after this Munster final. So many of Limerick's establishment came up with big moments in closing stages.
2,070
Louth beat Dublin in a championship game for the first time since 1973. Dublin lose back-to-back championship games for first time. All four goals they conceded were calamitous. Ciaran Byrne some Louth impact off the bench.
3
1
60
11,168
16,160 in Croke Park for Dublin v Louth. Long time since a Dublin championship game in Croke Park was as low.
10
4
4
96
24,130
Armagh's football impressive but their athleticism is something else again. They'd put a fair 4 x 100 relay team together!
5
2,031
Kilkenny hurlers out - haven't been right all season. And no quick fix in the short term for the county either.
4
2,051