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Cork & Tipperary will be trying to follow Oasis’ lead after being half a world away from Liam MacCarthy for so long

THIS IS NOT A DRILL. The great wait is over — this is happening.

The big-screen messages were clear before Oasis came on stage for the first time in 16 years last Friday in Cardiff.

6 July 2025; John McGrath, left, and Ronan Maher of Tipperary celebrate after the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Kilkenny and Tipperary at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Will it be Ronan Maher who hoists Liam MacCarthy on July 20?
Liam Gallagher performing at a concert.
AFP
Another Liam was centre stage on Friday night[/caption]

The brawling Gallagher brothers got the band back together  and produced the mother of all comebacks. The guns had fallen silent in their 16-year war and it was like the band had never been away.

Off they went — ‘Hello, hello — it’s good to be back . . . ’

The world tour may have thrown in in Wales, but Ireland is a homecoming gig.

The Gallagher brothers are Manchester by birth, but Mayo by the grace of God and those lucky enough to get tickets for next month’s Croke Park shows are in for a treat.

The band split back in 2009, four years after Cork claimed their last All-Ireland SHC title.

Kilkenny secured the four in a row that September before Tipperary halted the Drive for Five a year later.

That rivalry took centre stage for much of the decade to come. The Cats and the Premier became hurling’s Liam and Noel, with Cork reduced to no more than a support act.

The feuding Oasis brothers embarked on solo careers and all the while, the Rebels still waited for the big one. There’s a feeling on Leeside now that their great wait is over.

Cork had to sit back and watch Kilkenny, Tipperary, Clare, Galway and Limerick top the charts.

Losing finals in 2006 (Kilkenny denied Cork a three in a row), 2013 (after a replay against Clare), 2021 (Limerick) and last July (Clare again, after extra-time) hurt.

April’s 3-26 to 1-16 drubbing by the Treaty in Limerick was a big blow.

But some might say that sunshine follows thunder, as the Rebels came back to the Gaelic Grounds and prevailed on penalties in the Munster final.

The stage was ready for a return to Croke Park —  and so were they.
Pat Ryan’s men fired a warning shot to their rivals, blowing Dublin away with 7-26 in an exhibition of rock ’n roll hurling. 

Their firing line were in tune as Alan Connolly bagged a hat-trick, with Brian Hayes and midfielder Tim O’Mahony chipping in with two apiece. The defence was a wonder wall last Saturday too.

Their fans left Dublin feeling that this really is happening. Since the qualifiers were introduced in 1997,  Cork have never faced Tipperary in the final.

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And the Premier’s Liam and Noel — manager Cahill and spiritual leader McGrath — are on a comeback tour of their own.

The county were on the floor last year when they failed to win a game in the Munster Championship, finishing bottom of the pile.

Cahill’s credentials were questioned. He asked patience of the Tipp public — who are restless at the best of times — but they just needed a little time to wake up.

Last year’s round robin cast no shadow as the opening-round draw with Limerick in Thurles offered hope.

A drubbing against Cork followed but Darragh McCarthy’s red card ended the game before it had even begun.

The Premier beat All-Ireland champions Clare before seeing off Waterford by nine points to seal third place in the group.

Laois and Galway were clinically dispatched before Cahill’s rebuild stood up to the test in Sunday’s thrilling semi-final against Kilkenny, when Oisín O’Donoghue struck a wonder goal to secure passage to the final.

The youngster could only lap it up in front of Hill 16, just as  Oasis will do when they walk out on stage next month. Not even an umpire or a dodgy scoreboard will ruin it.

Similar scenes will unfold on either the South Mall or the square in Thurles after Rob Downey or Ronan Maher climbs the steps of the Hogan Stand to take Liam MacCarthy home.

Tipp blew the Cats away against all odds on Sunday, but this team’s journey is starting to look like it’s all part of the masterplan.

Twenty years on from 2005, all the pressure is on Ryan’s Rebels.
Because they need each other, they believe in one another — Cork and Tipperary need to uncover what’s sleeping in their souls.

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Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Gunners eye Eze swap deal, Norgaard signing ‘COMPLETE’, Gyokeres updates

ARSENAL have a HUGE summer of business to take care of in the transfer market.

The Gunners are considering adding one of their stars in a sensational swap deal for Eberechi Eze.

The Gunners have completed the signing of Christian Norgaard, according to transfer guru, David Ornstein.

Elsewhere, Viktor Gyokeres is closing in on his big switch to the Emirates with talks reportedly now at an advanced stage.

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Follow ALL of the latest news, rumours and transfer updates from the Emirates below…

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Wrong toon: Taxi driver snaps after 6-hour cartoon caper to Pattaya

A Thai woman’s ride from Kanchanaburi to Pattaya turned into a six-hour highway horror after her taxi driver watched cartoons at the wheel, argued with her repeatedly, and then tried to throw her out of the moving vehicle. TikTok user @alin_6236 posted a dramatic video yesterday, July 8, capturing part of the meltdown, including the …

The story Wrong toon: Taxi driver snaps after 6-hour cartoon caper to Pattaya as seen on Thaiger News.

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Upcoming music festivals in Thailand you won’t want to miss (July to December 2025)

The best festivals in Thailand have a bit of everything, from big-name bands and DJs to full-on weekends with art, wellness, and even barefoot island raves. And this year, the lineup looks better than ever, with old favourites returning and new names to get excited about. Sure, we love catching dedicated artist performances (and there …

The story Upcoming music festivals in Thailand you won’t want to miss (July to December 2025) as seen on Thaiger News.

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Taxi Driver Apologizes After Overcharging Passenger in Davao 

Taxi Driver Apologizes After Overcharging Passenger in Davao  A taxi driver in Davao City has apologized after overcharging a passenger at Davao International Airport.  Overcharging means asking someone to pay more than the right or fair amount for something, like a product or service.  Sometimes, overcharging is done by accident, like when someone makes a ... Read more

The post Taxi Driver Apologizes After Overcharging Passenger in Davao  appeared first on PhilNews.

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Bea Alonzo Sends Flowers, Belle Mariano Gives “Abuloy” To Lolit Solis

Bea Alonzo and Belle Mariano were among the celebrities who showed love for Lolit Solis Kapuso actress Bea Alonzo sent flowers to the late showbiz writer-talent manager Lolit Solis. To recall, there was a rough chapter between Lolit and Bea. That was the time when the showbiz writer was sharing negative write-ups about the actress. ... Read more

The post Bea Alonzo Sends Flowers, Belle Mariano Gives “Abuloy” To Lolit Solis appeared first on PhilNews.

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Brentford ‘contacted Ange Postecoglou about replacing Thomas Frank’ in stunning Premier League manager job swap

BRENTFORD held informal talks with former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou about replacing Thomas Frank, reports claim.

It would have been an incredible job swap shortly after Frank was named Postecoglou’s successor at Spurs, following the Aussie’s brutal sacking by Daniel Levy.

Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur manager, at a Premier League match.
Alamy
Brentford reportedly held informal discussions with Ange Postecoglou about replacing Thomas Frank[/caption]
Thomas Frank, Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur, smiling.
Shutterstock Editorial
Frank replaced Postecoglou in June after the Aussie was sacked by Spurs[/caption]
Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank, managers, talking.
PA
It would have been an incredible job swap shortly after the Dane was named Postecoglou’s successor[/caption]

Frank almost instantly emerged as the red-hot favourite to succeed Postecoglou at the helm, after Tottenham’s 17th Premier League finish was too much to bear.

And the Dane, 51, was later confirmed as Spurs’ new gaffer just days later after agreeing a three-year deal.

The swift turnaround left Brentford searching for a new manager to replace Frank, who established the Bees as a solid Premier League club during his seven-year tenure.

Brentford appointed Keith Andrews, the club’s former set-piece coach, as their new boss late last month after weeks of speculation.

But The Athletic have now revealed that Brentford director of football Phil Giles held informal discussions with Postecoglou.

The report does state that the 59-year-old was not interviewed for the role, as both parties agreed moving forward was not the best option.

Brentford also considered former Ajax manager Francesco Farioli, who has now joined Porto, before promoting Andrews.

Andrews, a former Republic of Ireland international and Premier League star, joined the Bees as a set-piece coach last summer and has not been a No 1 before at senior level.

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The 44-year-old’s familiarity with the squad and strong presentation ensured he was the first-choice candidate. 

Giles said about his decision: “There’s always going to be some degree of risk.

“It’s more risky to go and get a coach we don’t know from a club where the environment might be different or maybe people around them made them successful.

“This is actually quite a low-risk appointment because I know how good Keith is.”

Meanwhile, Postecoglou has been linked with jobs in the Saudi Pro League, but now it looks as though Major League Soccer could come calling.

MLS side Los Angeles FC are considering replacing Steve Cherundolo with the former Premier League boss after a poor Club World Cup run.

LAFC took just one point from matches against Chelsea, Esperance and Flamengo.

Keith Andrews' career stats

  • Wolves, 1999-2005: 72 games, 0 goals
  • Oxford (loan), 2000-2001: 5 games, 1 goal
  • Stoke (loan), 2003: 16 games, 0 goals
  • Walsall (loan), 2004: 10 games, 2 goals
  • Hull, 2005-2006: 30 games, 0 goals
  • MK Dons, 2006-2008: 87 games, 22 goals
  • Blackburn, 2008-2011: 76 games, 5 goals
  • Ipswich (loan), 2011: 20 games, 9 goals
  • West Brom, 2012: 14 games, 2 goals
  • Bolton, 2012-2013: 29 games, 4 goals
  • Brighton (loan), 2013-2014: 35 games, 1 goal
  • Watford (loan), 2014: 11 games, 1 goal
  • MK Dons (loan), 2015: 5 games, 0 goals
  • Republic of Ireland, 2008-2012: 35 games, 3 goals

Trophies

  • MK Dons: League Two, EFL Trophy
  • ROI: Nations Cup

Coaching career

  • MK Dons, assistant manager
  • ROI U21s, assistant manager
  • ROI, assistant manager
  • Sheffield United, coach
  • Brentford, set-piece coach
  • Brentford, manager

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