GAA Digest: Kilkenny’s fury Galway's Joe Canning, Donegal ready for the All-Ireland

What's going on on the GAA pitches in Ireland

DONEGAL boss Jim McGuinness is adamant he won’t underestimate Mayo in Sunday’s All-Ireland football final -- even thought most pundits rate his side as favorites to lift Sam Maguire for the first time in 20 years.

With the game set to make history as the first final since 1948 without a team from Munster or Leinster, McGuinness is quick to dismiss the theory that it will be an easy match to win.

He said, “I would consider Mayo to be a big hitter. They have been there or thereabouts for the last few years.

“There was no apprehension in Mayo going into that Dublin game in the semifinal. No fear of the Hill or championship football. They went and delivered because they are comfortable with what they are doing. There aren’t many teams that can do that. They aren’t fazed by not winning an All-Ireland in X amount of years.

“They are a very driven group and they feel they are on a mission. We feel we are on a mission. And only one team will get over the line. So it will make for a very interesting match.”

Mayo team captain Andy Moran will have to watch the game from the sidelines after injury ruled him out of Sunday’s final, but he insists he is not bitter and will be the county’s biggest supporter at Croke Park.

Ruled out by a serious knee injury, Moran said, “The real hurting was before the semifinal. I’d a few dark nights then all right where I was feeling sorry for myself but, look, there’s a lot of people worse off than me.

“The fact the team still needs you and that James still wants you around the place, that was a great positive for me. I was at training every night and I’ll be there again all week and, in some ways, I’m one of the lucky ones.

“If we get over the line on Sunday, I’ll be with the cup wherever it’s going and I’ll have my All-Ireland medal. I’ll be the happiest man in the country.”

Both camps report no injury worries ahead of Sunday’s sell-out final.
 
GAA Shorts

WEXFORD celebrated three All-Ireland titles in a row when defeated Cork by 3-13 to 3-6 in a superb senior final at Croke Park on Sunday. Derry and Galway drew in the intermediate final while Meath shocked Down to lift the junior crown . . .

CLARE upset the odds when they beat Kilkenny by 2-17 to 2-11 win in the All-Ireland under-21 hurling final at Semple Stadium on Saturday night . . .

DAVID Power has stepped down as manager of the Tipperary minor team, just a year after guiding them to an All-Ireland title win against Dublin . . . 

JUST two weeks after resigning as Wexford boss, Jason Ryan has turned down the chance to manage his native Waterford’s football team . . .

WESTMEATH’S James McGrath will referee the All-Ireland hurling final replay between Galway and Kilkenny on Sunday, September 30 . . . 

MELBOURNE side Hawthorns are the latest Aussie Rules side to chase Dublin youngster Ciaran Kilkenny . . .

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Nster.com