GAA News from Ireland: Tipperary tops Kilkenny in the National Hurling League

Kerry secured their first win of the new NFL campaign when they beat Derry with a couple of points to spare in Tralee on Sunday, much to the delight of manager O’Connor.

“It was important to get a win on the board and it validates what we are doing in training,” said O’Connor.

“It gives us a boost now and lifts the morale and we are facing another tough game again next week above in Salthill and it was important that we were going up there with a couple of points.”

 

Meath Wins

Stephen Bray scored a last minute winner as Meath again left it late to overcome Westmeath in their NFL clash in Navan on Saturday night by a score of 1-12 to 2-8.

“We were relieved and happy to get the win in the end,” said manager Eamonn O’Brien. “It was a poor second half performance from us.

“We played well in the first half, but we didn’t convert enough chances when we were on top in the first half. Overall, we are just relieved to get away with two points, we probably would have considered ourselves lucky if we had got one point.

“We were fortunate to come away with the win as Westmeath played very well in the last 15 minutes. If we had lost the game, any chance of promotion was lost so it was extremely important to win.”

Westmeath boss Brendan Hackett, whose under 21 side beat Meath in the Championship on Saturday afternoon, said, “A draw would have been the fairest result, but I’m happy at the way we came back in the second half.”

 
Tyrone Wins

MONAGHAN will look to build on their impressive but narrow NFL win (1-14 to 0-16) over Tyrone when they tackle Dublin in Parnell Park this Sunday.

A one-point victory for the Farney men in Inniskeen has increased the relegation pressure on Tyrone, but Monaghan attacker Conor McManus is more interested in the two points on offer in Dublin.

“This result will definitely give us confidence going forward,” McManus said.  “It’s not easy going to Parnell Park at any time but we’ll be going up there looking for another two points and trying to keep our Division One status.

Tyrone boss Mickey Harte was asked afterwards if his team can avoid relegation and declared, “Absolutely. We don’t believe in dogfights, we believe in playing good football.”

 
Limerick Update

The striking Limerick hurlers have again rubbished claims that they are prepared to return to training under beleaguered boss Justin McCarthy as the Shannonside shambles rolls on.

The senior players who have yet to feature for Limerick this season are unlikely to return in the near future following a statement issued on the eve of Tuesday night’s county board meeting.

In the statement the players said, “There has been a deliberate and concerted effort by members of the county board, the team management and the backroom team to influence the thinking of club delegates and the wider Limerick public.

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Nster.com