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O’Carroll named Morecambe’s No. 2 ahead of Spurs trip

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4 years ago

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Morecambe manager Stephen Robinson (left) has confirmed that Killarney man Diarmuid O'Carroll (right) is the club's new assistant manager. Photo: Morecambe FC.

by Adam Moynihan

Diarmuid O’Carroll took another positive step in his coaching career this past week as he was promoted to the role of assistant manager at English League One club Morecambe.

The former Killarney Athletic and Glasgow Celtic player had been the club’s first team coach since the start of the season but Morecambe confirmed on Tuesday that O’Carroll would be stepping up to become manager Stephen Robinson’s right-hand man. The 34-year-old replaces former assistant manager John McMahon who resigned before Christmas.

O’Carroll’s first match as Morecambe’s No. 2 could scarcely be any bigger: the third-tier outfit travel to London on Sunday to take on Spurs in the third round of the FA Cup. The fixture will be special for Morecambe’s manager and assistant manager in more ways than one. Robinson started his playing career at Tottenham; O’Carroll is a lifelong Arsenal fan.

Ross Road native O’Carroll, who enjoyed a colourful playing career that included spells in Scotland, England, Iceland, Belgium and Northern Ireland, is a popular figure in the Lancashire town having lined out for Morecambe in 2008/09.

EXCITED

Speaking to the Shrimps’ website after securing his latest promotion, O’Carroll said he was excited by the opportunity.

“It’s brilliant. I worked well with John [McMahon] when he was here as well, and I wish him all the best for wherever he ends up next.

“From my point-of-view, I’m excited. I came in with the manager as a first team coach initially, so for me, and I’m sure for the manager, not a whole pile will change from our day-to-day working.

“It’s a fantastic one for me, there’s a bit of pride to have once been playing here, being first team coach and now assistant manager, so I’m delighted.

“From Stephen’s point of view, I know what he wants. I’ve worked with him before so it allows me to have a little bit more influence on things, potentially with staff and with the academy. It puts more responsibility at my door which is brilliant.

“I can try and drive certain things that he likes and he wants because he doesn’t have the time to do it. He has enough balls in the air trying to get points and look at transfer windows and different things like that, so it allows me to crack on with the other stuff and take a little bit off his plate if possible.”

As he unveiled O’Carroll as his new assistant, Robinson spoke highly of his attributes as a coach.

“I brought Diarmuid to the football club, I knew what he could bring to it. He’s a fantastic coach.

“He’s a brilliant personality around the place, very, very popular among the players, so I think it’s a really good step up for Diarmuid as well. He’ll be a fantastic help to me as he always is.”

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Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic

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2 months ago

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7 November 2025

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Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1)

Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell

Saturday 7.30pm

Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre

The St Paul’s women’s team will be hoping to get their National Cup adventure off the ground on Saturday when they welcome 2024 champions Brunell to Killarney. Tip-off in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre is at 7.30pm.

Paul’s have displayed some fine early season form, although their unbeaten start in the Super League came to an abrupt end last weekend when they lost to the Trinity Meteors in Dublin. James Fleming’s side weren’t at their best on the day but they were well in contention heading into the final quarter with the scores at 47-45 in favour of the hosts. The Meteors pushed on in the fourth, however, eventually running out 63-53 winners.

St Paul’s scorers on the night were Maisie Burnham (13), Tara Cousins (12), Lorraine Scanlon (12), Lovisa Hevinder (9), Denise Dunlea (5) and Leah McMahon (2).

The Killarney club are now joint second in the table alongside the Meteors with both teams holding a 4-1 record. Killester are top having won each of their first five games.

Paul’s opponents on Saturday, Brunell, have won three out of five league matches so far.

LAKERS

The Utility Trust St Paul’s Lakers have now won three of their last four games in Division 1 of the Men’s National League following an impressive home victory over Moycullen in Killarney.

Eoin Carroll and Jack O’Sullivan made significant contributions of the Boys in Black; Carroll hit 17 points and collected 13 rebounds while O’Sullivan had 14 points, 12 rebounds and some spectacular blocks.

Steve Kelly posted 30 points and the durable Sam Grant played every second, adding 21 points along the way.

The Lakers started well before the visitors found their footing and the sides went in level at the half-time break after scores by home captain Carroll. There was still nothing to separate the teams entering the fourth quarter (68-65) but buckets by Carroll, Pablo Murcia and Grant opened up a nine-point lead. Moycullen fought back admirably, however, cutting the deficit to just four, but Luke O’Hea’s charges held firm to prevail by eight (88-80).

Next up is a cup tie against the Tipperary Talons, a side they defeated by 30 points just a couple of weeks ago. The cup can be very different to the league, though, and they will need another solid performance to advance to the next round. Tip-off in in Killenaule is at 6.30pm on Saturday.

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Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan

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2 months ago

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7 November 2025

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After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork and Kerry separate in the 2026 Munster Football Championship.

The new seeding system – which gives the two highest ranked Munster teams in the National League byes to separate semi-finals – will now come into play in 2027, twelve months later than initially planned.

This will give Clare and Limerick a chance to earn promotion to Division 2 of the league, potentially overtaking Cork if the Rebels were to get relegated to Division 3.

Despite traditionally being the two main contenders for Munster football honours, Kerry and Cork haven’t met in a provincial decider since 2021. The Kingdom have won each of the finals since then (one versus Limerick and three versus Clare) by an average margin of 15.75 points.

More high-profile Kerry v Cork finals might be desirable for fans of those teams, businesses in Killarney and Cork, and neutrals alike but Munster GAA’s plans to effectively keep the great rivals on opposite sides of the draw understandably drew criticism from the other participating counties. A statement by the GPA confirmed that players from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipp had met via Zoom to discuss the matter. They were said to be “deeply disappointed and concerned” by the decision.

The 12-month delay will at least give two of those disaffected teams an opportunity to benefit from the new seeding process.

The draw for the 2026 Munster Football Championship will take place on November 27 under the old rules. As 2025 finalists, Kerry and Clare will get byes to the last four (but they will not necessarily be kept apart).

Nine members of Kerry’s squad are up for All-Stars at tonight’s awards ceremony in Dublin with Joe O’Connor and David Clifford also in contention for the prestigious Footballer of the Year award.

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