Kerry footballer Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh announced her retirement from inter-county football just before Christmas, having said a few weeks earlier that she was going to continue playing in 2025. The 32-year-old made her Kerry debut in 2008 at the age of 16. She finally won that coveted All-Ireland title in 2024, scoring six points in the final against Galway as Kerry ended a 31-year drought for the Kingdom ladies.
In Wexford former captain Matthew O’Hanlon has retired from intercounty hurling after 14 years’ service to the Model County. The St James’ clubman made 70-championship appearances for his county, won a Leinster senior hurling championship in 2019 and was nominated for an All Star award on three occasions.
BYRNE MOVES
TO BRISTOL
Leinster out-half Harry Byrne has joined Bristol Bears. The 25 year old, who has won four Irish caps, turned down a move to Connacht at the end of last season, but he has found game time hard to come by this season due to the spectacular rise of Sam Prendergast and played just four times for the province's senior side in 2024/25. Byrne was involved in Ireland’s Six Nations success last Spring, but missed out on selection for the summer tour of South Africa and the November internationals. Bristol coach Pat Lam, who previously coached Connacht, was in need of an out-half after Byrne’s fellow Dubliner A.J. MacGinty suffered a knee injury against Leicester Tigers. Bristol are second in the English Premiership and Byrne will relish the opportunity to run their ambitious attacking game on a regular basis. His older brother Ross also plays for Leinster and has won 22 Irish caps.
Also next weekend sees a resumption of the 2025 European Cup competition. Leinster, who are tied with Rochelle at the top of pool two with 9 points, are away to the French club on Sunday afternoon. Munster, who are third in their pool, are home to Saracens on Saturday, while Ulster, who are without a point after two games, are away to Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Saturday.
OLDCASTLE TAP
EX-STAR SHERIDAN
Meath club Oldcastle have announced the appointment of former Meath star Joe Sheridan as their new intermediate football team manager. Sheridan, who scored the controversial goal against Louth in the 2010 Leinster final when he literally carried the ball over the line at the Canal End. He played for the Royals both as a forward and a goalkeeper, and replaces Cavan man Brian Donohoe at Oldcastle. Sheridan is very familiar with the Meath Intermediate game from his time in charge of Duleek-Bellewstown whom he led to final appearances in 2022 and 2023.
SHELS REJECT
BOYD OFFER
Derry City have lost their 26 year old English-born midfielder Will Patching, who has now joined Carlisle United. Patching, who was born in Stockport, was capped at youth level by England and initially came to the League of Ireland to play for Dundalk. He joined Derry City in 2021 and made over 100 league appearances for the Candystripes.
Also Shelbourne have rejected an approach from Scottish club from St Mirren for striker Sean Boyd. Boyd’s strong finish in Shelbourne’s triumphant campaign has attracted some interest from clubs in England, after he hit 10 league goals last term more than any of his Shels teammates. St Mirren currently sit fifth in the Scottish top flight and already have two Dubliners on their books former Irish under 21 international Killian Phillips and midfielder Roland Idowu, who played in the League of Ireland for Bohemians and Waterford.
Meanwhile, five-time League of Ireland Premier Division winner Seán Hoare has left Shamrock Rovers and has joined St Patrick’s Athletic. It’s a return to Inchicore for the defender, who spent five seasons at Richmond Park before embarking on successful spells at Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers. St Pat’s manager Stephen Kenny has been busy in the past few months re-signing players and bringing in new ones to Inchicore.
