Each weekend, we highlight some of the performances that light up the Irish sporting landscape.
This weekend, we highlight action from Hurling, Golf, Ladies Football, Camogie, and Rugby.
This week’s Champions of the Weekend is brought to you by KPMG, one of Sport for Business’s key partners and supporters of our Golf coverage.
Galway Hurlers
Galway were perhaps the most emphatic winners of the weekend, beating Cork by 2-26 to 1-18 to reach the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final. Micheál Donoghue’s side absorbed a Cork surge in the second quarter but then pegged them back to a one-point lead, and took control after the restart with nine unanswered points in a decisive third-quarter burst. Darragh Neary’s early goal set the tone, Conor Cooney’s late one sealed it, and Galway will now return to the All-Ireland final stage with momentum and belief.
Limerick Hurlers
Limerick came from six points down late on to beat Clare by 1-21 to 1-19 in Sunday’s other semi-final. Clare looked to have done enough when Tony Kelly’s penalty moved them 1-19 to 0-16 ahead, but Limerick scored 1-5 without reply from there. Aidan O’Connor’s 71st-minute goal was the defining moment, sending John Kiely’s side into an All-Ireland Final meeting with Galway.
Pádraig Harrington
Pádraig Harrington produced another chapter in one of Irish sport’s great late-career stories, winning the U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club. A closing 66 gave him a 12-under total of 268 and a four-shot win over Stewart Cink. It was Harrington’s third U.S. Senior Open title, tying Miller Barber’s record, and made him only the fourth player to successfully defend the championship.
Dublin Ladies Footballers
Dublin’s TG4 All-Ireland title defence is still alive after a dramatic 3-11 to 2-13 quarter-final win over Cork at Parnell Park. Orlagh Nolan and Kate Sullivan grabbed the late goals that turned the game on its head, breaking Cork hearts and sending the champions through to a semi-final against Kerry. It was not their cleanest win, but it was a reminder of the champions’ capacity to find a way.
Ireland Men’s Rugby Team
Ireland’s men’s rugby team also earned their place among the weekend’s champions with a dramatic 33-31 win over Australia in the Nations Championship opener in Sydney. It was a 10-try thriller, with Ireland coming from behind and Tom Clarkson’s late try, followed by Sam Prendergast’s conversion, proving decisive. Hugo Keenan was named player of the match after another high-class performance, including a vital defensive intervention, and the win extended Ireland’s strong recent run against the Wallabies.
Ireland Men’s Basketball Team
Ireland’s men’s basketball team ended their FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers with a morale-boosting 76-70 win away to Azerbaijan. They had trailed by 15 points in the first half but came back strongly in Baku, giving Michael Bree his first road win as Ireland head coach. Qualification hopes had already ended, but this was still an important result for a developing squad, with Adrian O’Sullivan marking his 50th appearance for Ireland.
Kilkenny Camogie
Kilkenny advanced to the All-Ireland Camogie semi-finals after edging Waterford 2-19 to 1-19 in Extra Time in Saturday’s quarter-final at Croke Park. Their reward is a semi-final against reigning champions Galway. Tipperary advanced to the other semi-final, where they will meet Cork, after beating Clare.
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Image Credit: Leinster Rugby
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