Armagh retain Ulster Ladies SFC title with convincing victory against Donegal
Armagh retained their TG4 Ulster SFC crown with a comprehensive win over Donegal in Clones.
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RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
16 becomes 12: All-Ireland SFC Round 3 permutations
Roll up, roll up for the annual permutations primer ahead of the final round of the group stage. From next year onwards, it'll be lean times for the permutations eggheads, who are almost as upset as Kieran McGeeney that the format is changing again. For 2026, we are set to return to what is being called a 'qualifier-style series'. Early indications are that the casual punter will have even more trouble getting their head around that one (Alan Partridge's soccer-meter springs to mind). Expect the usual queries of 'are they out now so, or what?' to skyrocket. But that's all in the future. Confronting us this week is the final round of the All-Ireland SFC group stage, which is enjoying a swansong so glorious that many people are seeking to cry 'halt' on the latest format change. Two of the groups are ferociously interesting this weekend, two of them less so. Here, for one last time, are the permutations. GROUP 1 Fixtures: Tyrone v Cavan, Brewster Park, Sunday 4pm Donegal v Mayo, King & Moffat Hyde Park, Sunday 4pm For the first time in the three years of the group stage - five if you want to include the Super 8s in 2018 and '19 - all four teams head into the final round of games on two points. Every team could theoretically finish in any position by full-time on Sunday. Donegal are currently way ahead of the rest in terms of score difference but given the GAA's prioritisation of 'head-to-head' results, this will likely prove a moot point, unless both Sunday's Group 1 games finish in draws. On all known form, Tyrone are in the best position here, having not lost to Cavan in championship since 1983 and dispatching them with considerable ease in this year's Ulster Footbal Championship. Cavan's shock win over a sluggish Mayo side in Castlebar was followed up by a very heavy defeat to Donegal in Kingspan Breffni Park. The best sequence of results for Malachy O'Rourke's men is a win combined with Donegal avoiding defeat in Dr Hyde Park. The prospect of a Tyrone win leaves Mayo needing some sort of result against the Ulster champions, otherwise Cavan will remain in the championship at their expense on the head-to-head. The Cavan/Mayo double would see Jim McGuinness and Michael Murphy dumped out of the championship at the group stage, though both would be considered upsets. Mayo beat Donegal at home in a similar scenario in the final round of the 2019 Super 8s. Another boon for Stephen Rochford's men is that the game is in Hyde Park, a field where they have a much better record than their own home ground. Rundown Tyrone win, Donegal win - Tyrone top group, Mayo eliminated Tyrone win, Mayo win - Mayo top group, Cavan eliminated Cavan win, Donegal win - Donegal top group, Tyrone eliminated Cavan win, Mayo win - Cavan top group, Donegal eliminated Tyr-Cav draw, Donegal win - Donegal top group, Mayo eliminated Tyr-Cav draw, Mayo win - Mayo top group, Donegal eliminated Tyrone win, Don-May draw - Tyrone top group, Cavan eliminated Cavan win, Don-Mayo draw - Cavan top group, Tyrone eliminated Both games end in draws - Donegal top group, Cavan eliminated (on score difference) GROUP 2 Fixtures: Kerry v Meath, Glenisk O'Connor Park, Saturday 4.15pm Roscommon v Cork, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Saturday 4.15pm This one is less open-ended. Kerry and Meath both know they will be progressing from the group, with only the order to be decided. Avoiding defeat will see Kerry directly into the quarter-finals. The worst case scenario for the Munster champions is they finish second and wind up with a home preliminary quarter-final. Meath could yet fall into third place if Roscommon beat Cork while overhauling a +14 score difference between themselves and the Leinster finalists in the process. The Roscommon-Cork game is a shootout to remain in the championship, albeit with a draw saving the Rossies. Roscommon's last competitive win outside of Ruislip was their 14-point annihilation of Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Round 5 of the league. Cork won the last do-or-die championship game between the pair, the 2023 preliminary quarter-final. Rundown Kerry win, Roscommon win - Kerry top group, Cork eliminated (second place determined by score difference - Ros currently -10, Meath +4) Kerry win, Cork win - Kerry top group, Roscommon eliminated Meath win, Roscommon win - Meath top group, Cork eliminated Meath win, Cork win - Meath top group, Roscommon eliminated Kerry-Meath draw - Kerry top group Roscommon-Cork draw - Cork eliminated GROUP 3 Fixtures: Monaghan v Down, BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, Sunday 2pm Louth v Clare, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Sunday 2pm The tamest group of the quartet is the most uninteresting from a permutations perspective. It was precisely with this scenario in mind - two teams on four points, two teams on none - that the GAA controversially insisted on allowing three teams progress, with the preliminary quarter-final stage added. Little of note to say here. The winner of the Monaghan-Down game will progress in top spot, with a draw favouring Down. The loser of the Louth-Clare will bid goodbye to the 2025 championship, with a draw saving the Leinster champions. Rundown Monaghan win - Monaghan top group Down win - Down top group Monaghan-Down draw - Down top group Louth win - Louth survive, Clare eliminated Clare win - Clare survive, Louth eliminated Louth-Clare draw - Louth survive, Clare eliminated GROUP 4 Fixtures: Dublin v Derry, Páirc Esler, Saturday 6.30pm Galway v Armagh, Kingspan Breffni, Saturday 6.30pm The big one... The most fiendishly difficult group in the history of group stages. Not even Stephen Kenny would expect to be dealt such a rough hand as these four. Not that Armagh need worry. Not alone are they through to the knockouts, they have already booked priority boarding to the quarter-final stage. The All-Ireland champions can only be matched in the points tally by Dublin, against whom they already have the head-to-head advantage. The big unknown this weekend is what tack they'll take against a Galway side in desperate need of a win in Kingspan Breffni Park. With the result largely irrelevant to them, will they go all Serie A on us, doing an Antonio Conte in the final round of the Euro 2016 group stage and throw out the reserves? Or will they seek to maintain their momentum and try and eliminate last year's All-Ireland finalists? Galway would probably be wise not to expect any presents anyway. Padraic Joyce's side were perilously close to tipping out of the championship with a game remaining in that wild, anarchic finale in Celtic Park. While they conceded another score on the buzzer to give up the win, any disappointment at that was easily eclipsed by their relief to still be in the thing at all. A win in Cavan will put them through to the preliminary quarter-final, regardless. And they'll be at home if Derry can turn over the Dubs in Newry, provided Paddy Tally's don't overhaul them on score difference. A draw or loss in Cavan and Galway are dependent on Dublin beating Derry. The safest outcome from a Galway perspective would be hearing that Dessie Farrell's side are winning well in Páirc Esler, even if that would mean sacrificing home advantage the following week. Dublin fans will flock to Newry knowing that any combo of results other than a Galway/Derry double will at least preserve their interest in the championship. For Derry, a first competitive win of 2025 will guarantee their progression and leave the Dubs hanging on the result from Cavan, praying that Galway have failed to win. Should both Galway and Derry lose, we will face the prospect of a team qualifying through the group stage on one point for the first time in the short history of the format. Galway have a slight edge in terms of score difference, currently at -1 compared to Derry's -4. Rundown
Irish Examiner
8 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Horan on Armagh's need to go full bore: The most dangerous thing is to ease off
Despite already securing a quarter-final spot, Armagh will approach their upcoming Sam Maguire series tie against Galway with full intent, according to former Mayo manager James Horan. The All-Ireland champions have already topped Group 4 ahead of their fixture at Kingspan Breffni this Saturday. Remarkably, it is the third consecutive year that Armagh have finished top of their group. In 2023 and 2024, the team who finished one place behind them was Galway. Speaking on the Irish Examiner's Gaelic football podcast, Horan said Kieran McGeeney's side will target another win to set them up for their trip to Croke Park in two weeks. 'There is no such thing as a game meaning nothing at this time of the year,' he said. 'In terms of development and growth, that is where Armagh are. Every game, we have talked about their consistency. Armagh I don't think will change a thing. They have momentum and their belief set is based on hard work and a way of playing. 'They have been doing that for years and years. Look at how much they've grown already. Do you think because they have qualified already, they are going to give away that initiative and momentum by dropping down the gears? It is not in their psyche.' Horan cited the example of Donegal, who started the National League with three victories in a row before winning one of their final four games. The Ulster champions now must defeat Mayo in their final Group 2 game and hope Tyrone lose out to Cavan. 'It is the most dangerous thing you can do as a manager. I think Donegal are trying to chase that momentum since the third round of the league. They started so well, this force of nature coming at us. I think it is such a dangerous strategy. 'I don't see them doing anything different. Maybe they will try one or two other players. They might test one different thing on the field, but ultimately it will be the Armagh we know and expect. There will be nothing easy.' Meanwhile, despite the recent drama, Horan believes the GAA are right to change the All-Ireland senior football championship format. A new format will be in place next season with the group phase abolished and replaced by a qualifier-style series. 'It is classic recency bias. This year it is brilliant, every group has something to play for and this weekend has so much to play for. All people want is a bit of drama where anything can happen,' he said. 'It is great this year. Everything seems to be working right this year, with rules and everything else. It is all combining and working out ok. Should we get rid of it? If you take this year on its own, you would say no but what were we saying this time last year or the year before that? Too many games etc. Overall, the sample size of one year isn't enough to make a decision. Changing it might be the right play.'
Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Paris medallists Wiffen, McClenaghan and Doyle donate €60,000 in Olympic legacy funding to former school and clubs
Double Olympic medallist Daniel Wiffen has donated his entire Olympic Legacy Fund – worth £25,000 (€29,700) – to his former school, St Patrick's Grammar School in Armagh. Wiffen was one of six athletes from Northern Ireland (representing Team Ireland and Team Great Britain) who collectively claimed seven medals at last summer's Olympics in Paris. The medal haul included four golds, one silver, and two bronze in swimming, rowing and gymnastics. The £100,000 (€119,000) Olympic Medallist Fund, divided among the medallists, is funded by Stormont's Department for Communities and administered by Sport Northern Ireland. Each gold medal winner earned £20,000, while silver medals received £10,000, and bronze medallists were awarded £5,000. Each athlete who won a medal was asked to select a club to receive their funding, with the money being used for equipment or to expand opportunities for people to participate in sport. READ MORE Wiffen, who won gold in the 800m freestyle and bronze in the 1,500m freestyle, put all his money towards the recent gym expansion at St Patrick's, writing on social media: 'Proud to donate my full £25,000 Olympic Legacy fund to @stpatsarmagh – the school that believed in me from the start. The new gym will support the next generation of Armagh athletes. Legacy isn't just about medals – it's about giving back.' Proud to donate my full £25,000 Olympic Legacy fund to — Daniel Wiffen (@WiffenDaniel) The other medal winners included Wiffen's fellow Team Ireland gold medallist, gymnast Rhys McClenaghan , who donated his £20,000 to the Origin Gymnastics club in his hometown, Newtownards. 'I feel like this grant gave me the responsibility to leave a legacy after my Olympic win,' said McClenaghan. 'I couldn't think of a better way to leave a legacy than to donate the money to the fastest growing gymnastics club in the country, Origin Gymnastics. 'This will hopefully allow young gymnasts to follow in my foot steps and give them opportunities and equipment that I didn't have growing up in this sport. Origin offers a sense of community in my hometown of Newtownards and gives everybody in the local area a true love for the sport of gymnastics.' Philip Doyle , bronze medallist for Team Ireland in the double sculls alongside Daire Lynch, donated his £5,000 to Belfast Boat Club. From Team GB, Hannah Scott (quadruple sculls, gold) picked Bann Rowing Club, Jack McMillan (4×200m freestyle, gold) chose Bangor Swimming Club, and Rebecca Shorten (coxless four, silver) opted for Methodist College Belfast Rowing Club. Northern Ireland Minister for Sport Gordon Lyons added: 'The incredible success of Daniel Wiffen, Rhys McClenaghan, Hannah Scott, Jack Milligan, Rebecca Shorten and Philip Doyle put Northern Ireland on the global stage. 'For a small nation, our athletes consistently punch above their weight, thanks to their dedication and sacrifices, and the unwavering support of coaches, school staff, families, and support teams.' Wiffen, who turns 24 next month, is next aiming for the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore in late July, where he'll be chasing gold in both the 800m and 1,500m events.
