Gaelic Games

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Fermanagh will host Sligo in this weekend's Tailteann Cup quarter-finals.

The Ernemen earned their spot in the last eight by finishing top of group four with two wins from three.

Their game with Sligo will take place on Saturday at Brewster Park, with a 17:00 BST throw-in.

Kildare will face Offaly - who are joint-managed by Mickey Harte - in a repeat of the Division Three final, while Limerick host Wexford, who hammered Antrim in Sunday's preliminary quarter-final.

The Kildare v Offaly game in Newbridge will be preceded by the All-Ireland Hurling preliminary quarter-final between Joe McDonagh Cup winners Kildare and Dublin.

Oisin McConville's Wicklow will host Westmeath, who were the first Tailteann Cup winners in 2022, in Aughrim on Sunday.

Tailteann Cup quarter-final draw (times BST)

Saturday 14 June

Fermanagh v Sligo, Brewster Park, 17:00

Kildare v Offaly, Newbridge, 18:30

Sunday 15 June

Wicklow v Westmeath, Echelon Park, 13:15

Limerick v Wexford, Gaelic Grounds, 15:45

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Antrim's season ended in dismal fashion as they crashed out of the Tailteann Cup with a 5-23 to 2-21 defeat by Wexford in the preliminary quarter-finals.

Having narrowly earned a spot in the prelims as the third best of the third-placed teams in the round-robin stage, Andy McEntee's side hoped to stage another stirring run through the knockout rounds after back-to-back semi-final appearances in 2023 and 2024.

But they were well beaten in Wexford Park as they were put to the sword by the Model County's full-forward line of Sean Nolan (2-3), Ben Brosnan (1-2) and Jack Higgins (0-3).

Goals from Nolan and Brosnan, and a couple of Darragh Brooks two-pointers, helped Wexford establish a commanding 2-14 to 0-7 lead at the break.

And John Hegarty's side pulled clear after the restart and led by 22 points at 4-21 to 0-11 with 12 minutes left after Nolan and Mark Rossiter added to their goal tally.

To Antrim's credit, they refused to give up as quickfire goals by Patrick Finnegan and Dominic McEnhill and three two-pointers helped them reduce the deficit to eight points.

However, substitute Robbie Brooks added a fifth goal for Wexford to bring the curtain down on a disappointing year for Antrim, who were also relegated from Division Three.

Fermanagh, who qualified for the quarter-finals by topping their group, are the sole Ulster representation left in this year's Tailteann Cup.

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Cork ended Limerick's long reign in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship in the most dramatic fashion, winning 3-2 in the competition's first penalty shootout after an extraordinary final ended in a draw after extra-time.

Conor Lehane, Shane Kingston and Alan Connolly netted penalties for Cork, and while Diarmuid Byrnes and Aaron Gillane converted for Limerick, misses by Barry Murphy and Declan Hannon either side of Patrick Collins' save from Tom Morrissey handed the Rebels their first provincial triumph since 2018.

In front of a crowd of 43,580, Cork midfielder Darragh Fitzgibbon drilled over a '65 in added time at the end of extra-time to force penalties after 90-plus minutes in the Gaelic Grounds ended 1-30 to 2-27.

Aidan O'Connor and Shane O'Brien scored goals in either half in regulation for Limerick, with Shane Barrett raising Cork's green flag.

Limerick, who were chasing a seventh consecutive title, now drop into the All-Ireland quarter-finals while last season's beaten finalists Cork progress to the last four.

"Our fellas really dug in. It took an awful lot of effort over the last three weeks," Cork boss Pat Ryan told RTE.

"We were embarrassed when we came up here the last time [losing by 16 points in the round-robin stage]. We had to get over Waterford [in the last game], which was a really tough game.

"I knew the lads were going to fight on their backs today."

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Meath and Armagh played out a thrilling 3-8 to 2-11 draw in their All-Ireland Ladies SFC opener at Pairc Tailteann.

The Orchard County led by four with less than three minutes left to play before substitute Shauna Ennis hit the net for the hosts and Vikki Wall kicked an equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game.

In a meeting of the two big hitters in Group Three it was level at the break as 2-4 played 1-7.

Wall hit the first goal of the game, punishing some slack Armagh defensive play on 11 minutes.

Aoife McCoy replied with a major for the Ulster champions before Aoibhinn Cleary added a second home goal on the whistle.

Armagh, who contested this years Division One league final, outscored their hosts 1-4 to 0-1 in the 15 minutes after half-time with Niamh Reel and McCloy on target before Kelly Mallon added a second goal to give the Orchard county a four-point lead.

Meath didn't register their first second half score until the 47th minute through Emma Duggan.

Caroline O'Hanlon tapped over a free to put her side four up with less than three minutes to play.

There only looked to be one winner before Ennis' goal and Wall's late leveller shared the points.

Meath will go to Kildare next weekend while Armagh will host the Lilywhites in a fortnight with both sides looking to secure home advantage in the last eight.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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Armagh's Mark Shields admits coming out as a gay inter-county footballer was "daunting", but says it was "important to tell my own story" as he publicly discussed his sexuality for the first time.

An All-Ireland winner with the Orchard County in 2024, Shields spoke about coming out in the GAA world at the Gaelic Players Association's annual Pride Brunch last weekend.

Shields is the first active male inter-county player to speak about being gay since former Cork hurler Donal Og Cusack, while Kevin Penrose - who plays for Tyrone club Aghyaran - spoke about his experience on The GAA Social earlier this year.

Shields says he hopes his story will help young Gaelic games players who are struggling to express their sexuality.

"I feel it's just important to tell my own story of 12-15 years playing inter-county, my experience of coming through the ranks, being a senior inter-county player in the male GAA environment," said Shields in a video posted on the GPA's Instagram account.

"It was a daunting task coming out, whenever it was, about 10-12 years. The culture has changed within society, within the group in Armagh. I feel that I can express myself more. The group are more accepting.

"The language used around the group is changing. There's people standing up for people, for myself in the group, whereas maybe that didn't happen that much before. I think the culture is changing within the GAA itself."

'I hope telling my story will help younger players'

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Whitecross club-man Shields says some of the language previously used in changing rooms was "hurtful", but that he feels more supported within the GAA now.

"It's been excellent to have allyships and people advocating for it in social media, and around GAA set-ups, and the GPA," he said.

"I hope speaking out and telling my story will help that younger player, be it male or female, non-binary to express themselves in the GAA environment."

Shields added that speaking to his sister helped him before he came out.

"I had to find someone I trusted in, that was my sister," he said.

"I spoke to my sister a lot, and would have a close relationship with her, my partner as well. It's finding that someone you trust and you want to express yourself to them.

"I found that very helpful whenever I was trying to tell my story and trying to come out. They were the ones that stood by me throughout and supported me whenever I felt down or low in the dumps or in a dark place.

"It doesn't have to be in front of a group; it can be a one-to-one conversation with someone. That's how I found it easier, to have that walk on the beach, in a forest or just chatting to someone over a coffee. That was the easiest way for myself."

This week's GAA Social podcast sees Oisin and Thomas joined by All-Ireland winner Johnny Glynn.

The Galway hurler helped his county lift the Liam McCarthy in 2017 and also played Gaelic football for New York.

Along with stories from playing in the US and in an All-Ireland final, Johnny and host Thomas share some of their more personal experiences with miscarriages in a discussion described by co-host Oisin as a "privilege" to listen to.

You can download and listen to the GAA Social on BBC Sounds here

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Pairc Esler will host Derry and Dublin's crucial All-Ireland fixture next weekend.

Dublin go into the concluding games of the round-robin series, all of which will be played at neutral venues, on two points from two games played.

After their dramatic draw with Galway on Sunday, Derry have a solitary point.

Throw-in on Saturday, 14 June is set for 18:30 BST.

In the pool's other fixture, throwing in at the same time, Armagh's repeat of last year's final against Galway will be staged at Breffni Park in Cavan.

Kieran McGeeney's All-Ireland champions are the only side already through to the quarter-finals.

Earlier on 14 June, Kerry will play Meath at O'Connor Park, while Roscommon against Cork will take place in Laois (both 16:15 BST).

The next day, top spot in Group Three will be up for grabs when Down meet Monaghan at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh with a 14:00 BST throw-in.

Elsewhere in the group Louth and Clare, both still searching for a first win of the series, will meet at the same time at O'Moore Park.

The finely poised conclusion in Group One sees all four sides having won one and lost one so far.

With 16:00 BST throw-ins on Sunday, 15 June, Ulster champions Donegal will play Mayo at Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon, while Tyrone and Cavan meet at Brewster Park.

In each group, the winners will progress straight to the last eight, with those finishing second and third advancing to the preliminary quarter-finals.

All-Ireland round-robin round three fixtures

Saturday, 14 June

Group Two: Kerry v Meath, O'Connor Park (16:15 BST); Roscommon v Cork, O'Moore Park (16:15 BST)

Group Four: Armagh v Galway, Breffni Park (18:30 BST); Dublin v Derry, Pairc Esler (18:30 BST)

Sunday, June 15

Group Three: Louth v Clare, O'Moore Park (14:00 BST); Monaghan v Down, Athletic Grounds (14:00 BST)

Group One: Donegal v Mayo, Dr Hyde Park (16:00 BST); Tyrone v Cavan, Brewster Park (16:00 BST)

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Derry boss Paddy Tally said their thrilling 2-20 to 4-14 draw with Galway on Sunday in their All-Ireland round-robin meeting in Celtic Park was "one that got away" for his side.

The Oakleafers let the game slip away after leading by eight points on two occasions as their search for a first win in 2025 goes on.

Matthew Tierney scored a last-minute goal to put Galway one ahead heading into the final play of the match before Conor Doherty kicked an equalising point for Derry after the hooter to salvage a draw.

"It was a rollercoaster. I'm happy with the way the players played, I can't complain about that, but there will be that feeling that this was one that got away," Tally told BBC Sport NI.

"A lot of the game depended on kickouts and who controlled the midfield. We were very good in midfield in the first half and gave ourselves a good platform.

"Galway got the run on us for 10-15 minutes and had us on the backfoot, but we got ourselves in a really good position and didn't close the game out which is really disappointing."

Despite two defeats in their first two games in Group Four, it is still all to play for heading into the final round of games in the group in a fortnight's time.

Galway take on All-Ireland champions Armagh, who are already through to the quarter-finals after their win at Croke Park while Derry meet Dublin.

The three remaining sides are all still harbouring ambitions of progressing alongside the Orchard County and Tally knows the game against the Dubs is a must-win.

"The Dublin game is one we have to get something out of, and we have a fortnight to get ready."

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Armagh forward Rory Grugan said that the All-Ireland champions "have not gone away" after their 0-24 to 0-19 victory against Dublin at Croke Park.

Their second victory in Group Four of the All-Ireland round-robin series, coupled with Galway's draw with Derry saw the Orchard County top the group and progress to the quarter-finals.

And Grugan believes their smooth passage through the so called 'group of death' will show critics they are well in the hunt to retain the Sam Maguire after losing the Ulster Championship final.

"A lot of people probably had us written off at the start of the year but we haven't gone away," he told RTE after being awarded man-of-the match against the Dubs.

"After the disappointment of the Ulster final, coming to this group was daunting but we knew how important the first game was, and we produced a really good performance [in a win against Derry] and it meant we could really come at it here today.

"We didn't know the other result would work that a win today would see us top the group but it's a good position to be to get that quarter final and that extra week's rest."

Armagh's efficiency in front of goal proved to be the difference and Grugan was pleased with their performance once they got over a slow start.

"I think we got to grips with the game after a shaky start. We knew Dublin were going to come at us hard, they were cutting through us, but we started to put a bit of control in the game and built a lead," he explained.

"They came fighting at us but maybe that bit of better conversion from our side won us the game."

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Ulster champions Donegal picked up their first win of the All-Ireland round-robin series as they beat Cavan 3-26 to 1-13 at Breffni Park.

After a shock defeat by Tyrone last time out, Jim McGuinness' side bounced back in style, scoring an unanswered 1-5 either side of the break which proved crucial.

A late Finbarr Roarty fisted goal after the hooter gave Donegal a comfortable seven-point half-time lead after a physical first half in which there seemed little to separate the sides.

But McGuinness' side pulled away in the second period as Cavan began to tire in the last 20 minutes.

Conor O'Donnell fired home a second goal, with Caolan McColgan adding a third with the final play of the game.

Donegal will now look to book their place in the next round with a win against Mayo in their last Group One game.

Monaghan made it back-to-back wins in Group Three with two-pointers key to their 1-25 to 1-16 victory against Clare at Clones.

It was Clare who led 0-14 to 0-7 at half-time, using the wind to their advantage to kick a flurry of two-pointers of their own.

Monaghan roared back in the second half and Conor McCarthy's calm finish soon after the restart gave them the lead and they kicked on from there to win by nine points.

Monaghan now face Down in their final game with the winner set to top the group and progress straight to the quarter-finals.

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Antrim will play Wexford in the preliminary quarter-finals of the Tailteann Cup.

The Saffrons advanced to the knock-out stages with victory over London at Pairc Esler on Sunday as they finished as one of the best third place sides.

Wexford, finished second in group four after they were beaten by Fermanagh on Sunday at Croke Park.

The Ernesiders will enter the competition at the quarter-final stage after finishing top of the group, alongside Kildare, Wicklow and Limerick.

The other preliminary ties see Offaly face New York, Sligo take on Carlow and 2022 winners Westmeath play Laois.

The dates, kick-off times and venues for all four preliminary quarter-final meetings will be confirmed on Monday.

Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final draw

Offaly v New York

Sligo v Carlow

Wexford v Antrim

Westmeath v Laois

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Tyrone manager Malachy O'Rourke felt his side did not "get to the pitch of the game" in their 2-17 to 1-13 defeat by Mayo.

Coming into the All-Ireland round-robin contest off an impressive win over Ulster champions Donegal seven days prior, the Red Hands found themselves 1-9 to 0-4 down at half-time.

Although they would cut the deficit to a point in the second half, Mayo, under the charge of Stephen Rochford after Kevin McStay stepped away for health reasons, pulled away to bounce back from their opening-round loss to Cavan.

"We'd a great win last week and we came here knowing, after the disappointment of the Cavan game, Mayo would be coming here with real hunger," said O'Rourke.

"We knew we'd have to meet that head on and I suppose that's the most disappointing thing, we felt in the first half we didn't get to the pitch of the game.

"We were a bit flat and left ourselves with a lot to do. In fairness to the boys, we dug in well, we got it back to a point but we made too many mistakes, we weren't playing well enough and Mayo deserved the victory. We've no excuses."

While Tyrone were in action on consecutive weekends, Mayo had a week's break from their last outing, although O'Rourke did not feel that was the telling reason for his side's flat performance.

"There's no doubt that the week turnaround is very small and it could have some effect, but we're not using that as an excuse either," he added.

"We knew what the story was, we knew exactly what Mayo would bring and we were hoping we'd be able to meet that and get another really good performance.

"For all of us in the changing room, we didn't get to the level that we need to get to and the level we expect of ourselves."

Tyrone will conclude their round-robin action against Cavan at a neutral venue during the weekend of 14/15 June.

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Down made it two wins from two in the group stage of the All-Ireland series as they survived a late Louth fightback to win 0-25 to 0-24 at Pairc Esler.

After a delayed start to the game in Newry, Odhran Murdock kicked a fine two pointer a minute into the game to set Conor Laverty's men on their way.

They added two more points before a free from Sam Mulroy got Louth on the board after eight minutes.

Two two-pointers from Danny Magill and Murdock further stretched Down's lead and they eventually moved nine clear before Niall McDonnell was thwarted by Ryan McEvoy in front of goal.

Louth rattled off four points in a row to cut the gap, but a late scoring blitz helped Down to lead 0-16 to 0-7 at half-time.

Two two-pointer and another effort from Mulroy helped the Leinster champions to chip away at Down's lead, reducing it to six points, but three in a row from the hosts helped them to re-establish their advantage.

Donal McKenny hit the post for Louth with Mulroy, Craig Lennon and Tommy Durnin scoring three straight two-pointers for the visitors as they moved to within three points of the Mournemen.

Louth had the momentum and got back to within one, before Mulroy's attempt after the hooter was blocked as Down held on for a narrow win.

Having comfortably dispatched Clare in their first game, the Mournemen are in a commanding position ahead of facing Monaghan at a neutral venue in the final round of group games in a fortnight.

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Derry boss Paddy Tally has urged his players to rise to the challenge of facing a fired-up Galway in Sunday's crucial All-Ireland Group Four game at Celtic Park (14:00 BST).

With Dublin to come in a fortnight, the Oak Leafers must beat last year's All-Ireland finalists to keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

Derry are winless in 2025, having struggled to cope with injuries to key players, but Tally says there will be no excuses when they host a Tribesmen outfit who lost to Dublin last time out.

"Galway are one of the top teams in the country," Tally told BBC Sport NI after his side's defeat by Armagh in round one.

"They got their shock against Dublin. You'll not see that Galway team again. You'll see a much more motivated and focused Galway.

"But we have them at home. It's on us to make sure we perform. There is no other way of looking at it. There will be no excuses so the performance is key and let's hope we can get a result."

Tally insisted Derry must improve their kick-outs after being dominated by Armagh in the middle third at the Athletic Grounds.

His hand may be strengthened, however, by the return of goalkeeper Odhran Lynch, who has been named on the bench for the Galway game.

"Armagh looked good, at times they were cutting us open and getting scores," added former Tyrone and Kerry coach Tally.

"We were loose defensively at times, which wasn't good enough. We struggled on kick-outs. Armagh are strong around the middle and it's something we have to work on.

"You can see at times where our players were coming into it. I do think it comes down to not playing for a while but that will not be an excuse against Galway."

Derry rallied from nine points to draw against Galway at Celtic Park in Division One earlier this year, but lost 2-14 to 0-15 in last year's All-Ireland round-robin tie.

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Antrim hurling boss Davy Fitzgerald has been handed an eight-week ban for comments he made after his side's defeat by Galway in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship earlier this month.

Fitzgerald criticised officials after Declan McCloskey was sent off for an off-the-ball incident in the game in Salthill, which Antrim lost by 28 points.

The former Clare and Wexford boss was subsequently charged by the GAA with "misconduct considered to have discredited the association".

At a hearing on Friday, which was requested by Fitzgerald, the Central Hearings Committee (CHC) upheld the infraction and handed him an eight-week suspension.

Fitzgerald has the option of appealing the decision.

The ban came into effect from the date of the hearing (29 May).

Antrim suffered relegation from Leinster to the Joe McDonagh Cup for the 2026 season with last week's defeat by Offaly.

Following the game, Fitzgerald said he needed time before making a decision on his Antrim future. He took over as boss last year following Darren Gleeson's departure.