Gaelic Games

David Mohan
BBC Sport NI journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Dublin's Ciaran Kilkenny has announced his retirement from inter-county football after 15 seasons.

The 33-year-old played in Sunday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final defeat by Kerry but the Castleknock man has decided to call time on his career.

Kilkenny, who represented Dublin both football and hurling at underage level, opted to focus on the big ball when called into the Dubs' senior panel by then manager Pat Gilroy in 2012.

In doing so, he turned down the opportunity for a move to Australian Rules and would go on to play a key role in Dublin's record-breaking run of six All-Ireland titles in a row between 2015 and 2020, while also winning medals in 2013 and 2023.

A dynamic forward, Kilkenny also picked up six All-Star awards, while adding 13 Leinster and five National League titles to his collection.

In a statement, Kilkenny paid tribute to his family, club, his former Dublin managers Pat Gilroy, Jim Gavin, Dessie Farrell and Ger Brennan.

"It has been the greatest honour of my life to play for Dublin, a dream I've had since childhood," he said.

"When I turned down the opportunity to play professional sport in Australia, it was because I knew that representing my club and county would always mean more to me. I could never have imagined how rewarding that decision would be.

"I have been fortunate and privileged to share a dressing room with so many legends of the game and I've made brothers for life.

"To those beginning your journey with Dublin GAA, I hope it brings you as much fulfilment as it brought me. I look forward to cheering Dublin on for many years."

Current Dublin boss Ger Brennan, who was a team-mate of Kilkenny during his own playing days, paid tribute to the "enduring legacy" he leaves.

"I was very fortunate to have both played with and managed Ciaran during his time in the blue jersey," said Brennan.

"He has brought huge leadership to the Dublin senior football team for over a decade and it has been a privilege to work with him.

"Ciaran embodied all that is great in a Dublin inter-county footballer - incredible teamwork, selflessness, work ethic, drive and skill.

"He leaves an enduring legacy for the next generation to aspire to."

Image source, Sportsfile

Antrim are back in an All-Ireland junior final after a 3-14 to 2-13 win against Sligo in Sunday's semi-final at Clones.

The Saffrons reached a fourth decider at junior level in six years with a hard-fought victory at St Tiernach's Park, with Maria O'Neill netting a hat-trick.

They will face Carlow in the Croke Park decider on Sunday, 2 August after they saw off Derry 4-7 to 1-7 in Sunday's other semi-final at Breffni Park.

Fermanagh are into an All-Ireland intermediate final after a 1-11 to 0-12 win over Down in the last four.

The influential Eimear Smyth scored 1-10 in the Ernesiders' victory and they will now face Roscommon in the final after they saw off Westmeath.

Watch highlights as holders Kerry beat Dublin 2-18 to 0-20 in the last four to book their place in a second successive All-Ireland final.

The Kingdom will face Mayo in the decider on Sunday, 26 July.

Read more: Goals prove decisive as Kerry overcome Dublin

BBC Sport NI pundits Oisin McConville, Philly McMahon and Killian Young dissect some controversial calls in Kerry's All-Ireland semi-final win over Dublin.

The panel look at the decision not to rule out Kerry's second goal after a square ball in the build-up and the call that a shot from Dublin's Ross McGarry did not cross the line when replays suggested it did.

Read more: Goals prove decisive as Kerry overcome Dublin

Image source, Getty Images

Conor Laverty hopes Down can end a rollercoaster season with silverware as they prepare to face Wicklow in Saturday's Tailteann Cup final (15:30 BST).

The Mourne County sent shockwaves through the championship when they stunned Donegal in the Ulster quarter-finals, but joy turned to bitter disappointment with a crushing 28-point loss to Armagh in the last four.

But having narrowly missed out on a place in the All-Ireland series, Laverty's side have navigated their way to a third Tailteann Cup decider in four seasons.

"The main prize with the Tailteann is the ticket into Sam Maguire football next year and that's something this team would love to get," said Laverty, who led Down to Tailteann Cup success in 2024.

"After the Donegal result, we went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, but that's the way of the competition and the rules that were set out at the start of the year.

"As a group, we set ourselves standards and it'll be no different on Saturday afternoon."

While Down shocked Donegal, Oisin McConville's Wicklow narrowly missed out on a similarly seismic provincial scalp over Dublin in the Leinster quarter-finals.

However, the Garden County came through dramatic knockout games against Antrim and Offaly to reach their first Tailteann Cup final - and Laverty is wary of the threat they pose.

"We've watched a lot of Wicklow over the past number of weeks. Their performance against Dublin in the Leinster Championship, they probably should have won that game, so we know the quality they possess," he said.

"Some of the players they have are of the highest quality so we understand it's going to be a difficult battle and we have to prepare to put in a performance over the full 70 minutes."