Within minutes of the end of the Munster senior hurling final where Limerick beat Cork by a point, pundits were predicting that we are likely to see these two counties in opposition again in the All-Ireland final in Croke Park on July 19. That’s not being disrespectful to Clare, Dublin, Offaly and Galway, but on current form a repeat of the Munster final looks very likely at Croke Park on July 19.
Two quarter-finals will be played in Semple Stadium, Thurles, next weekend. On Saturday evening at 7 p.m. Dublin, the beaten Leinster finalists, will play Clare and the winners will then meet Limerick in the All-Ireland semi-final on July 5. On Sunday at 3.30pm Cork and Offaly meet, with the winners playing Galway in the first of the semi-finals on July 4. Last year Dublin shocked everybody by beating Limerick in the quarter-final, but then they were blown away by Cork at the semi-final stage. Dublin were well beaten by Galway in the Leinster final earlier this month and Clare, who beat the Dubs in the Division 1B League final, in April will fancy their chances again on Saturday evening. Cork hurlers are the best supported inter-county team in the country right now and have played before capacity crowds in their last 12 games. They beat Offaly in the 2023 All-Ireland U-20 final in Thurles when current senior manager Ben O’Connor was manager of the Rebels. They should have no trouble against Offaly on Sunday, but Galway will no doubt provide a stiffer test later on.
URC FRIDAY FINAL
FOR CROKE PARK
It’s going to be strange to have a rugby cup final in Croke Park in the middle of the GAA season, not to mention the World Cup attraction on television. But on Friday evening Leinster will play the Pretoria Bulls at Croke Park in the what will be repeat of the 2025 final where Leinster triumphed. An attendance of 46,217 turned up at GAA headquarters on June 14 last year to see Leinster win 32-7. The organizers are hoping that the additional week to sell tickets will help their cause for a decent crowd. Leinster coach Leo Cullen admitted about June rugby, “It’s a bit unnatural, so to speak and there are a lot of other attractions.’’ There are various factors at play, with Leinster now at the end of their two-year stint at the Aviva Stadium ahead of their eagerly-awaited return to the RDS next season. In 2020 the rugby season shifted from September-June to October-July, a move that coincided in Ireland with the GAA’s split season. For their semi-final win over Starmers, Leinster attracted a crowd of only 15,346 at the Aviva, while on the same evening there was 46,463 at Croke Park for the Leinster hurling final between Dublin and Galway. However, Leinster GAA gave thousands of complimentary tickets to families for that game.
Leinster could be without their captain Caelan Doris. The Mayo-born forward received treatment in the semi-final win over the Stormers after Jamison Gibson-Park landed on his knee at a ruck, but was able to finish the game and afterwards Leo Cullen was hopeful that the injury was not too serious. However, fears are growing after Doris appeared at Leinster's end-of-season award ceremony last week sporting a brace on his right leg.
LOWE’S HEADED
EAST: REPORT
It looks like Leinster and Ireland wing James Lowe is going to join Japanese club Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath during the summer. The 33-year-old’s departure had been forecast in recent weeks, after contract negotiations between the player and the province broke down. The New Zealand-born winger has scored 71 tries in 101 games for Leinster, and recently surpassed Shane Horgan as their record try-scorer, while he has won 45 caps for Ireland since making his debut in 2020.
Also Munster have confirmed the appointment of former Ireland international Jared Payne as their new attack-focused assistant coach on a two-year deal, with Mossy Lawler signing a contract extension until 2028.The former Ulster utility back will join up with the province this summer following three seasons with fellow URC side, the Scarlets. The moves follows a whirlwind few months at Munster where Mike Prendergast confirmed his departure back in February, while his initial successor Roger Randle was hired and then subsequently parted ways with the province before taking on the role. Speaking last week, Payne said, ‘‘I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be joining Munster Rugby.’’
WATERFORD BEGIN
SEARCH FOR BOSS
Waterford are looking for a new senior hurling manager following Peter Queally’s decision to step down as manager last week. Queally said he was extremely disappointed not to have the backing of Waterford County Board for a third season. Waterford are now on the hunt for a new manager with former minor manager Darragh O'Sullivan and Jason Ryan, who have both led Ballygunner to All-Ireland senior club hurling titles in recent years. But it looks like the favorite at this stage is outgoing coach Donal “Duck” O'Rourke with the Cappoquin man, who was Cork coach under Pat Ryan for three seasons, making a big impression since coming on board this year.
CAMPING AN OPTION
FOR 2027 RYDER CUP
Ryder Cup fans will be able to stay onsite at Adare Manor for €1,170 next year provided they are happy to live in a tent. Ryder Cup Europe announced details last week of the official campsite for the 2027 Ryder Cup at the County Limerick venue, just a short walk from the first tee. Located in the Mountwilliam area of Adare, the official campsite is adjacent to the fifth fairway, offering ticket holders direct access to the course via its own designated entrance. Fans will have only a short walk to the course for the 100th anniversary staging of the biennial team tournament, where tickets for the competition days are priced at €499 per day. Booking is now open via the official website and prices range from €275 for Sunday night only to €1,170 for eight nights from Sept. 13 to Sept. 20.
BRENNAN TO LEAD
LEINSTER REVIEW
Former GAA president Nickey Brennan is going to chair a work group tasked with reviewing the structure of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship. Brennan, who was GAA president between 2006 and 2009 and a former Leinster chairman, will be joined by the Leinster GAA chief executive Michael Reynolds, the GAA’s head of hurling William Maher, and Leinster GAA servicing officer John Haughney. The committee is expected to expand in the coming weeks. The Leinster round-robin increased from five to six teams in 2022 and there have been calls to expand it to an eight-team competition, with two groups, to facilitate more developing counties. This year Kildare, the 2025 Joe McDonagh Cup champions, were relegated despite putting in some strong performances.
IRISH RUGBY CEO
BROWNE DIES AT 66
The death also occurred last week of Philip Browne the former CEO of the Irish Rugby Football Union. He was 66. He was involved in Irish rugby for almost three decades, joining the IRFU in July 1992 before being appointed Chief Executive in 1998. Browne stepped down from the role and retired in December 2021, after 23 years in the position, having been part of a transformative period in the history of the game in Ireland, as the sport successfully transitioned fully into the professional era. IRFU Chief Executive Kevin Potts said: “Everyone in Irish Rugby is deeply saddened by the passing of Philip Browne. The scale of Philip’s contribution to Irish rugby cannot be overstated.’’
DENIS COUGHLAN, 80
The death occurred recently of former Cork dual star Denis Coughlan. the age of 80. He won four All-Ireland senior finals, three in a row, 1976 to ‘78 and a football medal in 1973 when Cork beat Galway. Coughlan played hurling with the great Christy Ring at Glen Rovers and he played football for St Nicholas. Along with his national success, Denis won nine Munster medals five in hurling and four in football and was named Hurler of the Year in 1977, while he also picked up four hurling All-Star Awards. He captained Glen Rovers when they beat St Rynah’s from Offaly to win the 1973 All-Ireland title and added another winners medal four years later.
