In his analysis of the Ulster final, Seán Moran notes the remarkable achievement of Donegal, emphasising the shifting fortune over the last year. Winning 6-5 on penalties against Armagh in Clones, this commemorates an incredible turnaround from a year ago when they were seemingly floundering and in no position to even dream of such a victory. Their Ulster title, according to Malachy Clerkin, can be understood as a hard-fought trophy, conquering Derry, Tyrone and Armagh. Despite the unfortunate repeat of past championship losses for Armagh through shootouts, as their manager Kieran McGeenan concedes, it is a game of near-misses.
While Dublin’s team demonstrates unease after their less than stellar Leinster final performance against Louth, provoking contemplation for Dessie Farrell in their progress to the championship’s group stage, the city’s women’s team cruises through to their 11th Leinster title with a decisive victory over Meath. Following the breathtaking hurling game witnessed by Denis Walsh in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on the weekend, where Cork’s thrilling last-minute performance took Limerick by surprise, it’s clear that the excitement of the sport is at a crescendo. Shane Kingston, however, does not share the same fortune. With his third season as manager seeing his team in a slump, he faces the daunting task of reviving Galway’s hurlers.
In contrast, Manchester United is facing its worst period in over three decades, according to Ken Early, following their defeat to Arsenal. However, even with this recent win, the likelihood of Arsenal securing the title remains slim, with Manchester City holding a more favourable position. Despite Arsenal’s record-breaking season, they may still end up with no returns, a reality that is hard to swallow.
John O’Sullivan attended the much-celebrated rugby match at the RDS where Leinster delivered a crushing 61-14 defeat to Ospreys in the URC. Linley Mackenzie covered Munster’s staggering seven-try defeat of Connacht, while Michael Sadlier was present in Llanelli to document Ulster enhancing their playoff chances with a win against Scarlets.
For Ireland’s cricket team, however, the weekend was less victorious. Nathan Johns reported on the team suffering a defeat by Pakistan, losing by seven wickets at Clontarf on Sunday. On a brighter note, Rory McIlroy put up an impressive display in the last round at the Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina, winning the grand prize of $3.6 million. Philip Reid described him as a veritable money magnet in his current form.
For this evening’s entertainment on TV: viewers can anticipate an exhilarating face-off between Cork and Kerry in the Munster minor football final at Páirc Uí Rinn, scheduled for broadcast on TG4 at 7.30pm. Subsequently, Aston Villa will lock horns with Liverpool in the Premier League, airing on Sky Sports at 8pm. Rugby fans can catch the weekend’s standout moments, covered in RTÉ 2’s ‘Against the Head’ at 8pm.