
Kerry land 39th All-Ireland title as David Clifford stars and Donegal's punishing wait goes on
Jack O'Connor's side delivered a composed, ruthless performance at Croke Park.
Advertisement
2
David Clifford was sublime for Kerry as the bagged their 39th Sam Maguire title
2
Michael Murphy and Donegal put up a brave show but they couldn't get in touch of Kerry throughout the contest
The Kingdom pulled clear when it mattered most, and stamped their authority on the contest despite Donegal's repeated attempts to rally.
Jim McGuinness' men put up a fight, but they simply couldn't cope with the Kingdom's clinical edge.
From the off, the three-time All-Ireland winners were chasing the game, as David and Paudie Clifford dominated the tight spaces and dictated the tempo.
Joe O'Connor was a powerhouse in midfield as he sealed the game with the only goal of the contest, while Dylan Geaney floated dangerously throughout.
Advertisement
read more on gaa
But it was the Kingdom's day once again at GAA HQ.
KERRY 1-26
DONEGAL 0-19
MORE TO FOLLOW...

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


RTÉ News
21 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Katie McCabe: October the first step on stairway to '27
It's been a whirlwind year for Katie McCabe at club and international level but as the dust settles, the Republic of Ireland captain has her attentions laser-focused on October. That month will see the Girls in Green face Belgium over two legs in the UEFA Women's Nations League promotion/relegation play-off. Victory would see Ireland promoted back to League A while defeat would see Carla Ward's side remain in the second tier League B going into the qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. After getting a taste of major tournament life two years ago at the 2023 World Cup, going to Brazil in two years' time is a dream scenario, especially after missing out on Euro 2025 following last winter's play-off loss to Wales. "I know we missed out over the summer and losing to Wales last year and we need to look at how we can be better and move forward from that," McCabe told RTÉ Sport on Thursday during a visit to Children's Health Ireland Crumlin. "We've got two games coming up against Belgium, that's the first step in the next qualification - qualifying for League A if we beat Belgium - so it's going to be a step-by-step process but one we're really looking forward to." Beating Belgium, who featured at the recent Euros, will be difficult task but McCabe is keen to see as close to a full house as possible for the first leg at Aviva Stadium on Friday, 24 October. "They're massive. We want the Aviva absolutely rocking on that Friday night, we want supporters to come out and get behind us," she said. "Even if you may not be a fan of the women's game and you only go to the men's game, but if you're a football fan, you'll come and support us. It's going to be a fantastic night. "It's going to be a massive game. Belgium are a serious, serious team. I was watching them in the Euros over the summer and it's going to be difficult but hopefully the fans can get behind us and help us through the game." 'It's definitely a transition period' Carla Ward has been in charge of Ireland for just over six months and the early part of her tenure has seen a mixed set of results in the Nations League and friendlies, including a 4-0 defeat in Slovenia back in February. But McCabe feels the Englishwoman is getting to grips with the task of evolving the team on the path towards October's play-off and beyond. "I think it's definitely a transition period," she said. "I think Carla has come in off the back of a coach leaving and I think she's understanding what she wants to do, how she wants to set up the team, the players, the structures. "So I think over the course of that Nations League campaign we had, she's figuring those things out. "But ultimately going forward in October, we'll get a real understanding of who we want to be going forward and how we're going to achieve success together." Success is something McCabe has tasted. In May, she became the first Irish player to win a Women's Champions League medal after helping Arsenal to victory over favourites Barcelona in the final in Lisbon, a feat that has been sinking in over the last couple of months. "It's been a crazy few months to be honest with you," she said. "I think for us to go to Lisbon and perform the way we did together and the fans supporting us, and just the whole journey within the Champions League campaign for the club was incredible. "But after having a few weeks off and going back to look at the medal at home, it sinks in and it's so special looking back on the memories of it now. "But for us as a club and players, it's made us even hungrier going forward." Apart from the individual thrill of being a Champions League winner, the 29-year-old is also conscious of the symbolic nature of the achievement when it comes to inspiring the next generation of Irish footballers. "For me, knowing I was representing Ireland as the only Irish player out there, I knew there would be little girls and boys back home watching the game and hopefully one day aspiring to be like me, lifting the Champions League," she said. "So for me, it's such a privilege to be in this position and I always just want to continue to do things to the best of my ability and be the best role model I can be for young kids around Ireland. "It hopefully gives young kids ambition and gives them dreams to be a professional footballer one day and it has gotten better over the last few years. "We can see an increase in young girls at grassroots level, playing football. So we want that to continue right the way up the chain of the structure in Ireland, and we want young girls coming over to England and representing big clubs and really pushing themselves and getting Ireland's football to where it should be."


The Irish Sun
21 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Kilkenny legend set to star again in this year's Hurling for Cancer Research match in Carlow
KILKENNY legend TJ Reid will again be one of the star attractions at the forthcoming Hurling for Cancer Research game. The annual fixture, in association with Centra, takes place at Dr Cullen Park in Carlow at 7.30pm on August 18. Advertisement 2 The 37-year-old has won seven All-Irelands and 14 Leinster titles with Kilkenny 2 Reid was on Jim Bolger's Stars for last year's Hurling for Cancer Research match Last year's game saw Patrick Horgan, Peter Duggan and Adam Screeney line out. All proceeds raised from the event will support the Irish Cancer Society. Reid said: 'I'm involved for ten years and It's become a special day, especially for the kids who meet and get autographs from their heroes, but also because it creates so much awareness. 'I always tell males, especially men over 40, to get their bloods done and get their prostate checked. It could save your life.' Advertisement Read more on GAA Tickets are priced at €10 for adults and €5 for children and can be bought at selected Centra and SuperValu GAA Ticket Agent stores or online at


Irish Daily Mirror
21 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Jim McGuinness delivers powerful message at Donegal homecoming
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness delivered a powerful speech at Monday's homecoming, promising fans in attendance that the county would bring Sam Maguire home sooner rather than later. McGuinness was speaking a day after his side's collapse in the All-Ireland final where they were beaten by 10 points and failed to lay a glove on an awesome Kerry side that cruised to victory. While beaten hurling finalists Cork cancelled their homecoming after defeat to Tipperary, McGuinness and his team took to the stage to speak to the Donegal public - whose support cannot be questioned. "First of all I want to recognise the players behind me here, the players and the staff but particularly the players," began McGuinness as his players stood behind him on stage. "There's a lot of hurt, a lot of hurt behind me. There's a lot of pain behind me. There's no doubt about it that these fellas wanted to be standing in front of you and they wanted to have the Sam Maguire and that's not here. "And there's nobody more disappointed than that group of players. "I really hope that this can be a moment that they latch onto and can make them stronger, more resilient and bring them to a point when they are in a better position than they were yesterday afternoon in terms of going into a big game and taking on a big team. "And so, I just want to recognise them and thank them for everything that they have done over the last 24 months or so. Their efforts, their commitment and their sacrifice. "We're very disappointed we're here and we don't have Sam, and we're very disappointed for you people, particularly all these young children across the front here that are the future of Donegal football on the male and the female side. "We're really disappointed. But there will be brighter days. The rain will stop and the sun will shine. And I know for a fact that Donegal will be back here someday with the Sam Maguire Cup." Sunday was Donegal's fourth All-Ireland final in their history, and all four have involved McGuinness. He was a player in 1992 and manager in 2012 when they won, and also managed the side in a losing final in 2014 before stepping down. He returned a decade later and has led Donegal to back-to-back Ulster titles, an All-Ireland semi-final last year and a final this term.