Gaelic Games

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Connacht GAA's Air Dome indoor playing facility in county Mayo has been blown down during Storm Éowyn.

The £2.6m facility, which was opened in 2020 and is located at Connacht GAA's Centre of Excellence at Bekan near Ballyhaunis, regularly hosts inter-county matches in the winter months as well as being used as a training venue.

However with winds registering over 100 miles an hour along Ireland's western seaboard, the inflated roof of the facility blew down at around 04:00 GMT on Friday morning.

"We have been unable to get out to the site to assess the damage as the winds are too high," Connacht GAA secretary John Prenty told Irish broadcaster RTE.

Prenty added that the structure was fully insured and Connacht GAA intended to rebuild it.

The 150m x 100m facility's inflatable roof, which used pumping stations, was anchored to a perimeter wall.

In a statement, Connacht GAA said: "Unfortunately, the University of Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome was significantly damaged by Storm Éowyn overnight, thankfully no one was hurt.

"Thanks to everyone for the support, it is our full intention to rebuild this magnificent facility as soon as possible."

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Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney has named 10 of his All-Ireland-winning starting team for Saturday's Allianz Football League Division One opener against Galway at Salthill (17:15 GMT).

Paddy Burns, Aaron McKay, Joe McElroy and Rian O'Neill are not included in the matchday squad with Conor Turbitt named on the bench.

McGeeney hands a league debut to Annaghmore man Tomas McCormack who will start at right full-back.

Greg McCabe, Darragh McMullen, Cian McConville and Stefan Campbell are the other players drafted into the team.

Campbell made a big impact when coming on as a second-half substitute in the All-Ireland Final which included setting up McKay's crucial goal.

Galway have named eight of their All-Ireland Final team for the rematch with the Orchard County.

All-Ireland Final starters Rob Finnerty and Damien Comer are not named in the squad with Shane Walsh, Jack Glynn, Liam Silke, Sean Mulkerrins and John Maher included in the substitutes.

Sean Kelly, Daniel O'Flaherty, John Daly, Cathal Sweeney, Finnian O Laoi, Cillian O Curraoin and Sam O'Neill are all handed starts.

Galway: C Gleeson; J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, D O'Flaherty; D McHugh, J Daly, S Kelly; P Conroy, C McDaid; C Sweeney, F Ó Laoi, C Darcy; C Ó Curraoin, M Tierney, S O'Neill

Subs: C Flaherty, J Glynn, K Molloy, S Mulkerrins, L Silke, J Maher, J McLoughlin, L Ó Conghaile, C Costello, S Walsh, J Heaney

Armagh: B Hughes; T McCormack, B McCambridge, A Forker; Connaire Mackin, T Kelly, G McCabe; B Crealey, N Grimley; O Conaty, R Grugan, D McMullen; C McConville, A Murnin, S Campbell.

Subs: E Rafferty, G Murphy, C O'Neill, F O'Brien, D Magee, C Turbitt, R McQuillan, J Duffy, C O'Hanlon, J Hall, S McPartlan

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Antrim kicked off their National Football League Division Four campaign with a thumping 7-17 to 1-3 victory against Kilkenny on Sunday.

The Saffrons scored six goals in the first half to hold a commanding 6-10 to 1-0 lead at the break.

Lara Dahunsi and Nicole Jones both scored two goals whilst Luisne Adams, Maria O'Neill, and Aoife Turley also found the net.

Elsewhere, All-Ireland junior champions Fermanagh beat All-Ireland intermediate champions Leitrim 3-13 to 2-9 in Kiltubrid.

Goals from Eimear Smyth and Aoife McCabe gave Fermanagh a 2-5 to 0-6 advantage at the break.

Leitrim responded with goals from Muireann Devaney and Roisin McHugh as they cut the gap to three in the second-half, before Blathin Bogue's strike sealed the opening day win Fermanagh.

Derry fell to a 5-14 to 1-8 defeat at the hands of Longford, whilst Sligo beat Wicklow 1-13 to 1-3.

Division Four Results:

Antrim 7-17 Kilkenny 1-3

Fermanagh 3-13 Leitrim 2-9

Sligo 1-13 Wicklow 1-3

Longford 5-14 Derry 1-8