Mayo duo central to historic victory

 On Saturday evening while most eyes were on the Olympics in Paris, Irish sporting history was created in Wroclaw in Poland when Ireland won the European Lacrosse title, beating old foes England in the final.

Mayo was well-represented on the winning team with Ian Galvin and Sean Horkan to the fore as the title was secured with a 10-7 win over England in a thrilling final.

Galvin, from Cape Cod in Massachusetts with a proud Ballina father, and Horkan from New Hampshire with a Claremorris grandfather, were proud men at the end of a hugely successful championships in Poland.

“It was a once in a lifetime experience and getting to represent our Irish and Mayo heritage was amazing,” Horkan told The Mayo News on Saturday night.

From the opening day of the championships the Irish team had been told that their near neighbours England were the favourites to win the title, but it didn't sit well with the boys in green according to Horkan. “We were super fired up and pumped to make sure that we would be victorious on Saturday in the final.”

The young Irish team comfortably got through the group stages. They opened the tournament with an 8-3 win against Germany before defeating Switzerland 14-1. They closed out the group stages with an 11-5 win against their Eastern European opponents Latvia before a comfortable 11-4 victory against Israel.

It was obvious that Ireland were in with a string chance of ultimate glory and this was further emphasised when they defeated the Netherlands 10-3 in the quarter-final. They followed that up with an 11-3 win in the semi-final to set up a decider against England.

That match proved to be a huge success for the men in green and afterwards Galvin described the action. “It was a really good game. We controlled the whole pace of it as we kept possession for most of the game and played well in offence and defence. We did really well on the face-offs (restarts at the start of each quarter or after a goal), considering England's man was supposed to be the best of the tournament. He did absolutely nothing against us as we simply outplayed England and completely out-coached them as well.”

The win was hugely historic for Ireland, a fact not lost on Horkan. “We're the first Irish team to beat England at a major tournament and it's also the first Irish team to ever win gold at a major tournament,” he proudly explained.

In the last three years the Irish U-20 sides have done well in the World Championships in Limerick and have now followed up with a European title in Poland.

These results are hugely encouraging as the Irish Lacrosse side look towards at the Olympics and qualifying for the 2028 games in Los Angeles.

Top 6 Young GAA players Wexford

 Six  young footballers to watch in this year’s senior football championship .

John Hagerty and his Wexford team have an exciting future in store. With these six  players and several others who nearly made this list, the prospects are bright. Next season could be a big one for his side they could cause some serious trouble in the Tailteann Cup and maybe take some scalps in Leinster.

 

Player 1

Paul Hearne 21 ( Shelmaliers)

Paul is a wing forward for his club. Paul was a late developer into the senior set up. He never played minor or U21 for the county. This young man has been a main stay on his club side for the last two years. He is twenty one years of age. Hearne was the man that kicked the winning point in the county final last year and also netted a goal to ensure victory for his side. He is very fast pacy and has a good eye for a goal. He is an excellent finisher whether it’s raising the white flag or going for goals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Player 2

Cian Hughes 20  ( Killanerain)

Cian is a well known player in GAA circles in the county. He was on the team from Gorey CS that won the All-Ireland B title 2-3 years ago. He has also won the fresher player of the year with DCU. Cian was also part of the Sigerson cup team, along with being a member of both minor and U20 setups in Wexford since he finished in GCS

Hughes is a half/ full forward line player . The north Wexford man has some great skills and can kick off both feet along with an excellent dummy solo , which is his signature move. Like Hearne above this young man has an exceptional eye for goal and is an excellent finisher when the chance arises.

 

Player 3 James Doyle 20 ( Glynn Barntown)

James is the same age as Hughes above he attended St Peters College and played for the senior team for two years. Doyle was wing back on this year’s county U20 team and he is an attacking half back with loads of pace and power but also knows how to defend when needed.

He broke on to his clubs senior side last year and is now irreplaceable in the side. His main strengths are his tenacity,  his defending and ability to take on his opponents and carry the ball forward at every opportunity. For a wing back he is also very creative and can create an opportunity out of noting.

 

Player 4

Jack Higgins 21( Castletown)

Jack is now a member of Hegarty Wexford panel. Higgins actually made a couple of appearances for the side in the league and the Tailteann Cup. Jack has played three years for the U20 side and a minor for two years.

Higgins was part of his sides victory in the county final in 2022 when he gave a great performance against Shelmailers along with Hughes he was also a member of the GCS team that won the All-Ireland  It looks like north Wexford have plenty of half forward as Higgins is another one who plays either ten or eleven. His main attributes are his one on one attacking and his blistering pace.

 

Player 5

Dylan Cooke Leonard 20 ( Naomh Éanna)

Dylan was another one of the players on the list who has won an All-Ireland medal with GCS a couple of years ago along with winning a fresher all Ireland with DCU this year. Dylan is one of the most versatile players in the county as he can play and has been known to play in a number of different positions. Leonard has lined out mainly half back or  half forward but also wore the county jersey at corner back for the minors along with playing in the full forward line as well.

During this championship he is currently playing wing forward.  His main strengths are he is a utility player, left footed and can sick scores from distance. This young man has a great eye for a killer pass with his delivery into the full forward line being excellent

 

Darby Purcell 20 ( Sarsfields)

Purcell is a current member of the Wexford U21 hurling panel. Darby was a dual player at minor. This man is another left footed player and is well able to hit frees. He plays at eleven or in corner forward for his club.

The Wexford town man is a serious player to kick points from long range with that sweet left foot.

 

 

 

Player 7 Brendan Tobin 21 ( Cranford)

Tobin is definitely one of the up and coming plyers in the county even though he is playing intermediate A with his club.

Brendan is a centre forward who attended Carnew CBS and he was on the Wexford U22/20 team for two years. His main strengths are his ability to kick frees, find and a pass and find the back of the net.

He is a very clever player he is like a quarter back at times as he gets on a lot of ball . This man is an outlier as he is playing intermediate football but is good enough to play senior.

https://wexfordweekly.com/2024/07/27/six-young-players-to-look-out-for-in-this-years-wexford-senior-football-championship/entertainment/

Dublin vs Wicklow Masters GAA

Dublin 5-16

 

Wicklow 0-9

 

Eoin Horkan

 

St Brigid’s GAC Dublin

 

After a strong first half performance from the Wicklow Masters side, they were eventually beaten with three late Dublin goals putting a gloss on hard working performance from the Wicklow men.

 

After a cagy opening couple of phases of play it was the home side that troubled the scoreboard first when Niall Crossan fired over. Within minutes Wicklow sharpshooter Tony Darcy slotted over two efforts from play to give his side the lead within seven minutes. The Garden County men were gaining a foothold in the tie after Darcy added another effort from open play after Kevin Golden had leveled the tie. As the away side pushed forward, Dublin defended stoutly and against the run of play fired in the first goal of the tie through Crossan, who added to his tally. After another play broke down Dublin wingback, Dave Mooney, found himself in the right place to find the net. The final score of this purple patch came from the other wingback, Alan  Daly, who raised a white flag.

There was ten minutes left in the half when a Darcy free narrowed the gap, Dublin responded with two more minors - the first from full forward Tommy Brennan, before they unleashed Bernard Brogan of the bench to extend their lead. The final scores of the half came from a dead ball from Darcy again before Ciaran MacFhearghusa ensured his side would go in seven points up.

After the interval Dublin gained a complete foothold as Borgan added two more white flags, one from play and another from a dead ball. Wicklow's response came through the boot of center forward - Conor Parsons, who was playing his second match in two weeks.

After the gap was narrowed Dublin started to empty their bench, this is when they took full control raising four white flags in a row as Crossan, Brennan and Golden added to their tally before Kevin O’ Caroll finished off this scoring spree. The noisy neighbors narrowed the gap as Peter O’Brien drove forward to hit an outrageous score. With twelve minutes left in the tie the boys in blue kept the pressure on with points from  MacFhearghusa and two from Ciaran Slane. With their final attacks of the tie, Denis Bastick and Dabhac Dineen found the back of the net before Crossan finished the scoring for his side.

Not to be outdone, Willie O’ Hagan drove over the final two points of the tie from frees to narrow the gap slightly. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dublin: Stephen Moore; Shane Harkin, Brian Kirby, Felim Condron; Alan Daly(0-1), Stephen Mullen, Dave Mooney(1-0), Ross McConnell, Dabhac Dineen(1-0); Ciaran Slane (0-2), Kevin Golden (0-2), Kevin O’ Carroll (0-1); Ger Vickery, Tommy Brennan (0-2fs), Niall Crossan (1-3).

Subs Used: Ciaran Murray, Cormac Donohue, Ciaran MacFhearghusa (0-2), Gary O’ Connell, James O’ Connor, Bernard Brogan (0-3 2fs), Andy Farrell, Trevor Connolly, Jimmy Keogh, Brian Keogh, Denis Bastick(1-0),Ian Clarke, Niall Ryan.

 

 

Wicklow: Mervyn Travers; Peter O’ Brien (0-1),Brian Nolan, Patrick Egan; Alan Nolan, Paddy Dalton, David Cullen; Eoin Burke, Barry Sheehan; Jonathan Behan, Conor Parsons (0-1), Alan Ellis; Tony Darcy(0-5 2fs), Ray Stapelton, Willie O’Hagan (0-2fs)

Subs Used: Michael O’ Neill, Seamus McGraynor, Derek Daly, Tony Hannon, Johnny Mooney.

 

Referee Peter Farrell (Johnstownbridge)

Mayo Girls Soccer Tournament

 

On Sunday the 21st of July the Mayo girls took part in an FAI development blitz in the FAI HQ in Dublin.

 

Eoin Horkan

 

National Sports Campus

 

Mayo 0

 

Longford 0

 

In their first game of the day Mayo battled hard but couldn't break down a resolute opposition defense.

 

After a cagy opening couple of minutes, the Longford team mustered two efforts on goal but neither troubled the Mayo girls As the half went on Mayo gained a foothold in the middle of the park and managed to carve out chances towards the end of the half. These efforts were curtailed by the offside flag on both occasions.

When the game resumed Mayo took complete control with winger Clodagh Breslin causing trouble down the wing. The aforementioned carved out a great chance but her goal bound effort was saved. With the final whistle looming Mayo eked out two more corners but they couldn't break through a solid opposition rearguard.

 

Mayo 1

 

DLR Waves 3

 

It was the local side whose three goals against the run of play saw them coming out on top.

 

After a bit of confusion Mayo took to the field in their second game of the day. In the opening minutes they found themselves a goal down. This didn't stop the girls as they battled back as Breslin had an effort saved moments later. Inside ten minutes and against the run of play DLR had doubled their lead through Sadhbh Murphy.

The second half was much the same as Mayo controlled the ball before DLR were awarded a questionable penalty by the officials which was converted by Murphy. From the thyroid goal to the final whistle it was all Mayo and they deservedly got a goal back when Breslin drove down the wing to fire in her second of the day.

 

Mayo 2

 

Drogheda 4

 

It was the Louth side who came out on top in this six-goal thriller in the final game of the day.

 

It was Mayo who carved out the first chance of the game when a Roisin Horkan header flew wide from a corner. Within minutes the opposition took the lead when M McCloskey broke through to lob the goalie. The tie was level five minutes later as Emily Jennings fired in an effort from long range. The Connaught side controlled possession until half time even after McCloskey finished her hat trick.

After the interval it was all Mayo again as they threatened to narrow the gap which they eventually did through Breslin who was causing danger every time she got the ball. With the final whistle looming it looked like Mayo could draw the game, but Drogheda broke away for the final goal of the game against the run of play.

 

 

Squad: Sarah Heaney, Rebecca Moran, Roisin Horkan, Hannah Breslin, Muireann Nolan, Emily Jennings, Cara Culkin, Lauren Neary, Mary Moran, Mary Ann Ward, Sarah Gallagher, Tori Duffy, Amber Glavey, Clodagh Breslin, Niamh Curran.

Absent from squad; Maura Hughes, Sophia McHale, Kate Brennan, Emily Vahey.

Ian Galvin ( Mayo Lacrosse)

 As the Irish squad prepares for today's crucial encounter at the European U-20 Lacrosse Championship a young man with powerful Mayo heritage is a central figure.

Ian Galvin, from Cape Cod in Massachusetts has already helped Ireland to solid wins over Germany and Switzerland and are hoping to continue that good run with another victory over Latvia, today (Tuesday) in Wroclaw, Poland. Germany were put to the sword, 8-3 on Friday before Switzerland were defeated 14-1 the following day.

Ian is excited about Ireland's prospects and believes the young men in green can make a big impression at the prestigious tournament. He began his lacrosse journey at the age of seven and is extremely proud to now be wearing the green of Ireland. “I'm really excited. You know, playing for a country where your parents come from along with the majority of the rest of your family. So, it's really cool and it means more to me every time I put on the Irish jersey,” he explained following Saturday's win over Switzerland.

Ian's father, Jarlath, is a Ballina man, well known for his athletic exploits, and his mother, Natalie, is a native of Dublin, so the pride of Ireland is embedded in the very core of his being. Today's big game in Wroclaw comes after Ian has finished high school in America and is playing for his local team in Cape Cod, the Redhawks.

The dream of playing for Ireland runs deep in the Galvins and Ian's older brother Jack has already played underage and senior for the Irish lacrosse team. They can thank their mother and her place of employment for their elevation to the green machine.

“My mother worked in Boston. She heard about the Ireland Lacrosse team one day through a co-worker and obviously my brother has now also played for Ireland at underage and senior level, so I tried out for the team in America and then there were two try-outs in Limerick. So, I made the team and now I am really excited to wear the green Jersey in Poland and see what it's all about,” Ian continued.

The man with powerful Ballina roots has big dreams and is already looking towards the future. Once this tournament is over in Poland, he's hoping to catch the eye of the senior management. The new Olympic cycle isn't far away and the Galvins are hoping to feature in the Irish senior squad together.

“It could be a great honour to wear the green jersey alongside my brother at any major event but doing it at the Olympics would be extra special,” he added.

However, Galvin, the younger, has business to do this week and he's determined to drive Ireland as high as possible in the European Championships. Playing for Ireland is a proud and precious thing.

https://www.mayonews.ie/news/other-sport/1563126/from-ballina-to-poland-via-cape-cod.html

Sean Horkan ( Mayo Lacrosse)

 

Sean Horkan

 

 

From Claremorris to Boston to Poland and Beyond

 

 

We hear from Irish U20 lacrosse international Sean Horkan who explains his Mayo roots lie with his grandfather Martin who is from Claremorris  and how it feels to represent Ireland at an international tournament. Sean grew up in Malden, Massachusetts, a city in the suburbs of Boston. Sean began lacrosse at a very young age. He first learned the game from his father, Marty who was his youth coach. He played for Malden Youth Lacrosse and simultaneously played for Tomahawks Lacrosse club team out of New Hampshire. In high school he moved on from Tomahawks and joined The Clams club program. In addition to playing for The Clams, Sean played for Belmont Hill School in Belmont, MA where they brought home the ISL championship this year. Sean graduated from Belmont Hill School in the spring. He will be attending Connecticut College in the fall majoring in Economics and Finance. He will play for the Conn College Camels lacrosse team with his older brother, Liam. Liam was a member of the U20 Ireland Worlds Team that played in Limerick two years ago. The two Horkan boys are excited to be playing together for Coach Nagel at Conn College.

 

Sean was originally picked for the Irish U20 team for this Summer's European championships after having played for Ireland in Limerick at what ended up being the U21 championships due to Covid-19. Sean tried out for the team in the United States and had his final tryout in Dublin in January of this year. He made the team and is excited to represent Ireland as a dual citizen.

"I am very proud and excited to have made the Ireland team for the second time. It feels good to be a veteran on the team."

Sean describes the initial feeling of making the first Irish underage squad along for Poland "It means so much to represent my heritage and family. I am honored to wear the Ireland jersey."

Once this tournament is over in Poland Sean starts looking towards the future with senior appearances and even hopefully an Olympics on the horizon,  in which he could be playing alongside his older brother Liam  they both give us their thoughts on what it would be like to wear the Irish senior jersey together.” It could be the second time we get to play on the field together for Ireland. Limerick was special but with the Olympic news that was announced this year there could be plenty of chances too line out together in the green jersey.”

Luke Moloney Sligo ( Olympics)

/ Luke Moloney (Sligo Lacrosse Player)

Luke Moloney Attacker No. 19

From Easkey to Manchester to Olympics 2028 Luke Moloney has

had an amazing Lacrosse career so far and we hear how he has

come from Sligo to the World stage and Olympic Stage all going

well

Since the World Championship in San Diego Luke has been lucky

enough to wear the green jersey again in 2024. Luke played in a

six’s competition in Faro for Ireland a couple of months ago. This

is another variation of Lacrosse with only six players on the field.

“Faro was an amazing experience it gave me an insight into the

variation of Lacrosse that will be played in the Olympics in 2028.”

It is clear Luke has a plan and let’s hope we will see the man from

Easkey wear the Irish jersey at European and World

championships along maybe even Olympic level in 2028 and

further on.

What is field Lacrosse Moloney explains the different variations of

this sport. “It’s a ten-man game which would be played on a

normal size sports field. This is what I played in San Diego at the

World’s last Summer.”

Pursuing a lacrosse career was always going to be challenging

for the young man, but through hard work, he managed to

achieve his dream. “Moloney, who spent part of last year in

Canada developing his lacrosse skills, points out to us that he will

find it difficult to play for Ireland if he stays in his native country,

as all the sport is played in Dublin which means he would have to

travel a number of hours to play.” My goal is to continuously strive

to improve and become a more impactful player for the national

team in whatever variation of the sport I play. I have obtained a

visa for Canada, where I plan to train and play box lacrosse

again. I spent time there last year and hope to return this winter to

further develop my skills and contribute more effectively to the

Irish team in upcoming competitions.”

In 2024 Moloney has tried his best to keep up his Lacrosse skills

by playing in the UK every couple of weeks. “I am involved with a

team in Manchester and try to get over there every couple of

weekends to play competitive matches.”

He began his Irish career in 2019 for the when the U20 European

championship took place in Prague in the Czech Republic.

Following that, one of the coaches, who also coached the men's

box team, called me up as an alternate for the 2019 Men's box

team. Since then, I haven't looked back and have made every

senior-level squad possible."”

While in San Diego, Moloney describes how he felt when he

received the call to play for the men’s senior team at the World

Championships.

“When the team was announced, I received an email, which was

a huge relief after all the hard work that went into preparing and

trying it out. It's always a great feeling to represent my native

country on the world stage. I was obviously a bit relieved, but in a

good way. I felt I had to step up and really live up to it. I went in

there with the idea of trying to learn as much as I could, being a

student of the game rather than an experienced player and tried

to help the team in any way possible.”

The news of Ireland and the Olympics has only been

recently announced and Luke gives us his initial feelings when he

heard the news. “My initial feeling. Obviously, there's relief,

excitement, and you know, mostly excitement. But the relief that

finally we've got the recognition.”

This news has really got the Irish Lacrosse world excited

We can't wait to see Luke on the world stage in the next few

years.

Where next for this Sligo man as he gets his name onto the world

stage.

https://www.pressreader.com/