Dogged Donegal break Armagh hearts again in another epic Ulster decider

Irish Examiner

10-05-2025

Ulster SFC Final: Armagh 0-28 Donegal 2-23
It happened again. Somehow, Donegal and Armagh produced another remarkable Ulster final. After an epic contest and extra-time, Donegal won by one.
There were ugly scenes at the end of an epic encounter as members of the Armagh panel took issue with some goading celebrations, with players having to be forcefully separated on the field. It was a disappointing end to a dramatic final.
A crowd of 28,788 fortunate patrons gathered to witness an outstanding fixture. On several occasions, Donegal looked to deliver a killer blow. Time and again, Armagh found a response. They managed to draw level after a Ciaran Moore goal in the second period of extra-time. However, a final Niall O'Donnell point proved decisive.
Entrepreneurial spirit was alive and well from early in the day. The good weather paved the way for every field to become a car park. A fiver was the going rate and euro or pound would do. Along Church Hill, the hats, flags or headband floggers were also offering vapes. Cash or card worked just fine. It all functioned as a timely reminder that the Ulster final in Clones is not just a glorious occasion, it's an opportunity.
The sun was out, a roaring trade in town, the sight of Rian O'Neill back with the Armagh panel in a shock move announced by his enormous frame striding off the team bus; the boom truly was back.
O'Neill was not added to the matchday 26 so it was left to another comeback kid to make his mark. Michael Murphy headed to the edge of the square to renew his showdown with Aidan Forker. Three times Donegal delivered long balls on top of him. He was fouled for a free from the first. He scored the second and broke the third for an Oisín Gallen point. At the start of the second half, he put an end to a patient attack with another corker.
It was 0-11 to 0-14 at half-time with Donegal dominant for periods of the opening half. Amidst the swirl of excitement, the start was error-strewn. Tiernan Kelly handpassed away the first possession. The first four shots were all inaccurate. Michael Langan hit the first score from play after nine long minutes.
Midway through the half, a nip-and-tuck encounter lurched towards the gold and green side. Ciaran Thompson swung over two two-pointers. Twice Ethan Rafferty was required to make a save. His kickouts were under pressure and four consecutive points on their way to a seven-point lead with the turnaround approaching.
Ryan McHugh's man-marking job on Rory Grugan was proving effective. After a semi-final where they only lost one of their own kickouts, Armagh lost six in the first half alone. Yet they did what this outfit consistently do and dug deep. Four of the last five scores came from the All-Ireland champions. Conaty was immense. Oisin O'Neill forced one orange flag and could have had another if not for a timely Shaun Patton touch.
Once more, Donegal surged. Conor O'Donnell's driving run looked in vain when the ball broke out of his hands but Hugh McFadden pulled on it first time and found the net. That blow had Armagh rattled. They conceded another three on the bounce. Darragh McMullan and Ben Crealey both missed goal chances, the latter clipping Jarly Og Burns and the post on its way wide.
And still, they refused to yield.
Conaty cut through again, Stefan Campbell came on and scored immediately, Oisin O'Neill slotted over. The Crossmaglen man swung over a two-point free thanks to a 4-v-3 breach before he was replaced. Jason Duffy announced his introduction with a fisted point.
With the hooter looming, the gap was just one. Jim McGuinness cut an exasperated figure as his side squandered several opportunities to see it out. Jamie Brennan kicked a wide. Aaron Doherty dropped one short. Peadar Mogan spilled possession. One final chance fell to Conaty and he fittingly delivered to send the decider to extra-time.
Ten minutes later they were still level. Jarly Óg Burns swung first, Paddy McBrearty came back on and added another free. All over the field bodies were dropping. Subs came back on. Guttural roars rang rained down. It was sporting theatre.
Even when Moore produced the late green flag, Armagh dug deep. Rafferty landed a two-point free to draw level. O'Donnell's late point gave Donegal a chance to hold on. They did. Just.
Scorers for Donegal: O. Gallen 0-4; C. Thompson 0-4 (2 tp); C. Moore 1-1; H. McFadden 1-0; M. Murphy 0-3; M. Langan 0-2, P. McBrearty 0-3 frees; N. O'Donnell 0-2; P. Mogan, D. Ó Baoill, J. McGee, C. O'Donnell 0-1 each.
Scorers for Armagh: O. Conaty 0-7; O. O'Neill 0-7 (1 tp, 1 tpf); R. McQuillan 0-3, S. Campbell 0-3, E. Rafferty 0-3 (45, tpf); J. Duffy 0-2; C. O'Neill, A. Murnin, J. Og Burns 0-1 each.
Donegal: S. Patton; F. Roarty, B. McCole, P. Mogan; R. McHugh, C. McGonagle, C. Moore; M. Langan, H. McFadden; D. Ó Baoill, C. Thompson, S. O'Donnell; P. McBrearty, M. Murphy, O. Gallen.
Subs: C. O'Donnell for McBrearty (53), J. McGee for McFadden (50), J. Brennan for Ó Baoill (52), E. McHugh for Moore (55), A. Doherty for Gallen (64), O. McFadden Ferry for McGee, N. O'Donnell for Brennan, C. Moore for Doherty (all 70), P. McBrearty for Murphy (76), D. Ó Baoill for McHugh (79), S. McMenamin for McCole (84)
Armagh: E. Rafferty; P. Burns, A. Forker, B. McCambridge; R. McQuillan, G. McCabe, J. Óg Burns; C. O'Neill, B. Crealey; D. McMullan, R. Grugan, T. Kelly; O. Conaty, A. Murnin, O. O'Neill.
Subs: C. Turbitt for Kelly (41), S. Campbell for O'Neill (49), P. McGrane for McCabe (55), J. Duffy for O'Neill (60), N. Grimley for Forker (60-Inj), C. Mackin for Murnin (70), J. Hall for McQullian (77-79, Temp), C. McConville for Conaty (79 – Inj), S. McPartlan for Grugan (83), T. McCormack for McQuillan (88).
Referee: B. Cawley (Kildare).