Compiled by John Fallon
THE 2025 TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship got underway over the weekend – with holders Kerry getting the better of Mayo in Tralee on Saturday.
The Kingdom ran out six-point winners to get the defence of their national crown off to a winning start in Group 2.
Also on Saturday, 2024 runners-up Galway were too good for Tipperary in a Group 1 clash at Tuam Stadium, on a 1-13 to 0-7 scoreline, as Armagh and Meath drew in Navan.
There was another draw in Sunday’s Group 4 tie, with Dublin coming from behind to secure a share of the spoils with Waterford in Dungarvan as they finished 1-13 apiece.
The reigning TG4 All-Ireland champions Kerry saw off Mayo by 0-13 to 1-4 with Danielle O’Leary shooting four points off the bench, while Siofra O’Shea also hit four at Austin Stack Park.
A goal from Clodagh Keane meant that Mayo only trailed by 0-7 to 1-3 at the interval but the champions got on top after the restart to carve out victory.Connacht champions Galway began their campaign with an impressive second quarter in Tuam Stadium to run out comfortable nine point victors over Tipperary.
The Tribeswomen did the damage with 1-8 unanswered, including Leanne Coen’s goal, to lead 1-10 to 0-1 at half-time but Tipperary put in a much improved second half display.Meath came from four points down with three minutes remaining to earn a dramatic 3-8 to 2-11 draw with Armagh in Navan.
They were level at 2-4 to 1-7 at the break with Vikki Wall and Aoibhín Cleary getting the goals for Meath either side of Aoife McCoy’s goal for Armagh.
A goal from Kelly Mallon put Armagh in the driving seat but Meath rallied in the dying moments and a goal from Shauna Ennis was followed by the equalising point from Wall.
There was also late drama in Dungarvan where a last second equaliser from Kate Sullivan salvaged a draw for Dublin against a Waterford team who had never beaten them in the championship.
A bizarre own goal from Dublin defender Sinead Goldrick saw Waterford enjoy a 1-6 to 0-7 advantage at half time.
A goal from Hannah Tyrrell levelled the game early in the second half but Waterford responded and led by two points in the dying moments.
Dublin did not panic and after a free from Tyrrell reduced the margin to the minimum, Sullivan snatched a draw at the death.
In the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship, Laois, Westmeath, Tyrone, Clare and Wexford are through to the quarter-finals.
Laois will top Group 1, with a shootout between Fermanagh and Roscommon for the second spot in the group.
In Group 2, Westmeath and Tyrone are both through to quarter finals as both have beaten Down but it’s a case of who tops the group next week.
It’s all to play for in Group 3 where Monaghan and Cavan have a win each.Clare and Wexford are both through to quarter finals as both have beaten Offaly in Group 4 – again it’s a case of who tops the group.
And in the TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship, there were Group A victories for Sligo and Louth, as Carlow defeated London in Group B on Saturday.
Also on Sunday, Cork, Dublin, Tipperary and Armagh claimed the All-Ireland U14 Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze titles respectively.
RESULTS TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship Group 1: Galway 1-13 Tipperary 0-7
Group 2: Kerry 0-13 Mayo 1-4
Group 3: Meath 3-8 Armagh 2-11
Group 4: Waterford 1-13 Dublin 1-13
Intermediate Group 1: Laois 2-9 Fermanagh 0-7
Group 2: Tyrone 1-14 Down 2-8G
Group 3: Cavan 1-20 Wicklow 0-4
Group 4: Wexford 3-10 Offaly 0-2
TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship Group A: Sligo 7-28 Kilkenny 0-2
Louth 2-7 Limerick 0-9
Group B: Carlow 7-09 London 0-4
All-Ireland U14 finals Platinum: Cork 5-9 Galway 2-13 (aet)
Gold: Dublin 4-6 Kerry 1-12
Silver: Tipperary 3-8 Cavan 1-5
Bronze: Armagh 3-10 Limerick 3-8
