Gaelic Games

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Antrim hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald says Darren Gleeson is a "fighter" after the former Saffrons boss announced his cancer diagnosis.

Gleeson announced on Saturday that he had to step down as Laois manager to "undergo treatment for cancer.

The 43-year-old left his role as Antrim manager in July after five years in charge and was ratified as Laois boss the following month.

"I know Darren pretty well. He has an illness, but he's a fighter," said his Antrim successor Fitzgerald.

"I absolutely know that Darren will buckle down and do whatever he needs to do.

"Darren will fight like anything, and I'm sure we'll see Darren back on the sideline in the future because that's the type of guy that he is."

'My heart goes out to him'

Gleeson is a former Tipperary goalkeeper and won two All-Ireland titles and six Munster Championships as a player.

He said the cancer was diagnosed following "a recent accident in which my upper arm was broken unexpectedly".

"It is essential, based on the medical advice I have received, that I fully focus in the months ahead on my treatment and recovery," he added.

"Unfortunately, it is therefore not possible to continue the busy and responsible role of being an inter-county manager."

Neil McManus, who captained the Saffrons under Gleeson , said "everyone in Antrim wishes Darren the absolute best".

Gleeson guided the Ulster county to the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2020 and 2022 and also helped the Saffrons to promotion to the top tier of hurling by winning Division Two in 2020.

"It is a horrific time for him and his family, and I just wish him a speedy recovery", McManus added.

"What he gave to Antrim GAA was massive, it really was. Probably only the people who were inside his dressing room will understand that fully.

"My heart goes out to Darren and his family, and we wish him a very speedy recovery."

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Slaughtneil forward Brendan Rogers says the Derry champions needed to be at their best to beat Cushendall in a thrilling Ulster Club SHC semi-final on Saturday night.

The game at the Athletic Grounds went to extra-time before Slaughtneil secured a 1-36 to 3-25 victory.

"You know what you get with Cushendall - a battle every time, good hurling, it's physical and you have to be at your best to beat them," said Rogers, who was named man-of-the-match.

"We had a lot of scores. When you score 37 times and it's still tight at the end of the game you know you're in a battle and that's full credit to Cushendall."

Slaughtneil led by three points in the dying seconds but Neil McManus bagged his third goal to send the match into extra-time.

The Derry men held their nerve and moved clear to earn to a five-point success over the holders.

It was a victory which came after a series of disappointments at the hands of the Antrim team.

"For this group, maybe because we haven't beaten Cushendall in the Ulster Championship - we've played them about four times and had extra-time twice.

"So I suppose for this group to get over that line was one we had to do and we only set our sights on winning the game."

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Kilcoo manager Karl Lacey praised his team's attitude after defeating Crosserlough 0-15 to 1-10 in the Ulster Club SFC quarter-final at Pairc Esler.

The 2022 All-Ireland champions were pushed all the way by the Cavan underdogs but edged through at the end to seal a spot in the last four.

"Crosserlough are good team with good footballers - we knew we were up against it," said Lacey.

"We were just glad to get in at half-time a point up and regroup. Crosserlough came out again and left everything behind, fair play to them.

"I'm just delighted we showed the character that was required to get the job done, to get over the line and get ourselves in the next round."

Lacey was also happy with the impact by second-half substitute Conor Laverty with the Down manager scoring a point to help see Kilcoo over the line.

"If there's anyone in Kilcoo who didn't want to lose tonight it was Conor Laverty.

"Conor's been brilliant and he's been training really well. He put his hand up and deserves the game-time that he got. He has that experience and he's a leader."

Lacey was an All-Ireland title winner with Donegal in 2012 and played alongside star forward Michael Murphy.

Murphy has come out of inter-county retirement to return to Donegal and Lacey is happy to see his former team-mate back.

"It's been well documented in the last couple of days how much this means for the county.

"Michael would have considered everything before making his decision - as a Donegal supporter it's great to see Michael Murphy play again."

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Donegal All-Ireland winner Rory Kavanagh has been named the new Glen boss.

He replaces Malachy O'Rourke who took over as Tyrone manager in September.

O'Rourke led the club to three county titles, two Ulster Club triumphs and an All-Ireland success last January after being appointed in late 2020.

Kavanagh lifted the Sam Maguire in 2012 and also won three Ulster titles with his county in his playing days.

He took over as manager of his former club St Eunan's in November 2020, leading them to their first Donegal SFC title in seven years in his first season as manager.

Kavanagh left the club at the end of the 2023 championship.

Glen were stunned 1-12 to 2-8 by Newbridge in the Derry Senior Football final last month.

The shock defeat brought to an end their three-year stranglehold on the competition as well as their bid to retain their Derry, Ulster and All-Ireland titles.

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Sunday's Ulster Club Football quarter-final between Erne Gaels and Scotstown has been postponed following the death of former Gaels player Mark Lyons, brother of the Fermanagh club's captain Ryan Lyons.

The match will now take place at Brewster Park on Saturday, 16 November at 17:00 GMT.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, Erne Gaels said: "It's with great sadness that we learnt of the unexpected passing of one of our past players Mark Lyons.

"A bittersweet few days for our club with Mark's younger brother Ryan lifting the New York Cup last Saturday evening for us now to be heartbroken for the Lyons family on the passing of Mark."

There are three other Ulster Club quarter-finals taking place this weekend, with Kilcoo v Crosserlough on Saturday before Cargin v Errigal Ciaran and Newbridge v Clann Eireann on Sunday.

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Dublin great James McCarthy has announced his inter-county retirement after a decorated 14-year career.

McCarthy is one of three players - with team-mates Stephen Cluxton and Michael Fitzsimons - to have won nine All-Ireland titles.

The Ballymun Kickhams club-man, 34, captained the Dubs to their most Sam Maguire triumph in 2023 and also won five All-Stars and 14 Leinster titles during his decorated career.

"This decision hasn't been an easy one to make but I feel it's the right time," said McCarthy, who helped Dublin win their first All-Ireland title in 16 years in his first season in 2011.

"I have been very fortunate to be involved in a golden period for Dublin GAA and I have played with the most incredible group of players.

"It really has been some of the best days of my life and I have memories to last a lifetime."

He added: "The loyalty and friendship we have built is something I will always be thankful for.

"To the Dublin fans, thank you for the support of the team throughout the years. Walking around Croke Park and passing Hill 16 is a memory that I will never forget.

"To my parents John and Marian, my family, close friends and my wife Clodagh, thank you for supporting me throughout my football career. Your unwavering belief in me has helped more than you will ever know.