Three Dublin footballers with strong Galway connections
THERE are three Dublin footballers with strong Galway connections, Ciaran Kilkenny, Eoin Kennedy and Alex Gavin all have relations in Galway.
Ciaran Kilkenny is related to Galway football legend Sean Purcell who is a first cousin of his father John Kilkenny. Meanwhile, both of Kilkenny’s grandfathers Patrick Kilkenny (Ballymacward) & Jarlath Corcoran (Caherlistrane) are from Galway. The Castleknock clubman has enjoyed another impressive season for the Boys in Blue and he has arguably been one of Dublin’s most consistent performers across the last decade.
Eoin Kennedy who has been drafted into the Dublin starting XV replacing Nathan Doran in the full back line is a first cousin of Connacht Rugby star Cathal Forde. Kennedy tasted All-Ireland club glory with Cuala in 2025.
Alex Gavin who has been named on the Dublin bench to face Galway is also a first cousin of Connacht Rugby star Hugh Gavin. Gavin was part of the Ballyboden St Enda’s side who were narrowly beaten by Dingle in the All-Ireland SFC semi-final earlier this year.
Galway play Dublin in the All-Ireland SFC semi-final at 4pm, Mayo and Kerry booked their place into the last four of the championship on Saturday evening. Louth and Monaghan will both battle it out for a place in the semi-finals of the championship this afternoon. The draw for All-Ireland SFC semi-finals take place after the Galway and Dublin game on RTE2.
The All-Ireland quarter-final will be shown live on RTÉ 2 with coverage getting underway at 3:50pm. Joanne Cantwell will be joined by ex Dublin footballer Brian Fenton, Former Monaghan star Conor McManus and fomer Kerry footballer Tomás Ó Sé for live coverage on The Sunday Game Live.Ger Canning and former Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice will be proving commentary on RTÉ 2 of the big game.
GALWAY: Connor Gleeson; Jack Glynn, Cian Hernon, Liam Silke; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Sean Kelly; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Cein D’Arcy, Shane McGrath, Cillian McDaid; Robert Finnerty, Matthew Tierney, Shane Walsh.
SUBS: Conor Flaherty, Brian Cogger, Sean Mulkernin, Johnny McGrath, Kieran Molloy, Fionn McDonagh, Daniel O’Flaherty, Finnian Ó Laoi, Jack Mullen, Damien Comer, Liam Ó Conghaile .
DUBLIN: Evan Comerford, Sean MacMahon, Eoin Kennedy, David Byrne; Leo Gannon, Theo Clancy, Charlie McMorrow; Peadar Ó’Cofaigh Byrne, Brian Howard; Colm Basquel, Con O’Callaghan, Niall Scully; Paddy Small, Ciaran Kilkenny, Cormac Costello.
SUBS: Hugh O’Sullivan, Tom Lahiff, Liam Smith, Greg McEnaney, Cian Murphy, Sean Guiden, Josh Bannon, Ross McGarry, Alex Gavin, Sean Bugler and Tim Deering.