Why we're all set to be winners when Armagh and Donegal clash in Ulster Final
There is no doubt that next Saturday's Ulster Senior Football Championship Final between Donegal and Armagh will be a battle royale.
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BreakingNews.ie
12 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Róisín Rodgers praises impact younger players have made on Donegal
Donegal captain Róisín Rodgers has praised the impact younger players have made on the squad as they prepare for their opening game of the All-Ireland football championship. In a period of transition for James Daly's side, Donegal finished fourth in Division Two. Rodgers reflected on their three draws in the league, as well as their Ulster final defeat to rivals Armagh. Advertisement Rodgers' first season as captain is a sign of the changes underway for Donegal, but she remains confident they can compete with the top counties. 'It's like that old saying—if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. We know it's going to be a big challenge going into these next couple of games, so it's just about seeing where we can take it. 'We are in that transition period as well, with some of the younger girls. Hopefully, we can use some of that youth on our side and keep pushing on. 'Those younger girls are a credit to themselves. It's not easy coming into a senior ladies' squad at such a young age. They're going to be coming up against bigger, stronger players as well. Advertisement 'They are putting in all the work they can—in the gym, on the field, off the field—whatever way they can prepare themselves for the championship. 'The likes of Mia Bennett in the forward line—she has played an absolute stormer in the last couple of games.' Since narrowly losing to eventual winners Meath in the All-Ireland semi-final in 2022, Donegal have not been in contention at the crucial stages of the season. In Donegal's group are Galway and Tipperary, both of whom they have already faced in the league this year. Advertisement Relegation and defeats in Ulster finals have followed in recent seasons, but Rodgers says there are positives to take into the championship. 'For us, it came at the right time. For some of the younger girls, it has given them a lot of experience of how the season is going to go in terms of the championship ahead. 'We have played them, they know what it's going to be like, and they have a feel for it going into the championship. 'We're all on a bit of a similar journey. We've all had a transition period—they've lost players and had players come back—so I think in our group, you can really see that coming through. 'Everyone's journey is similar, but it's also so different as well.'
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
All-Ireland finals could move to August in 2027
GAA president Jarlath Burns says the All-Ireland Senior Football and Hurling finals could be pushed back to August from 2027. While the two showpieces games were traditionally played in September, they have been staged in July since 2022 as part of the split-season model. Earlier this year, Burns said the finals would not be moved to August in 2026, but a proposal to tweak the calendars could now be considered at Special Congress in at the launch of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship on Tuesday, Burns said: "Croke Park operates with regard to its priorities and how it does its business a year in advance. So, already, because we hadn't made a decision on that, August 2026 is taken up. That puts August 2027 into the mix."I'm around the country all the time, in clubs and counties every single day of the week, and the thing that I get most debate on are the timings of the All-Ireland finals. "And there is a school of thought that is saying that first and third weeks in August, leaving everything as it is, okay, first and third weeks in August."Burns, whose term as president ends in February 2027, also said he favours provincial finals being decided by replays. Cork beat Limerick on penalties in last weekend's Munster Hurling decider while Burns' native Armagh lost Ulster Football final shootouts in 2023 and 2024."I suppose that brings that into focus as well," added Burns."There are people who are very favourable towards the preliminary quarter-finals, but we will always be led by what the counties want. We decided that we would hold that particular one back."You don't have to talk to me above anybody else about replays and provincial finals. We've (Armagh) lost three now, two quarter-finals, on penalties. I would be very much in favour of replays where at all possible."
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Armagh on lookout for new hurling manager as Karl McKeegan steps down from role
Under the former Christy Ring winner, the Orchard county reached the Division Three Final in the National League in his first season in charge but they were unable to reach that height again. Following a disappointing 2024, this year Armagh failed to reach the Nicky Rackard Cup Final after failing to exit their group, leading to McKeegan's resignation. According to the Irish Times, Middletown's Na Fianna manager Kevin 'Kizzy' Hughes is the favourite to take over from the Cushendall man after leading his side to nine senior club championship titles in the last decade, with the club going for seven-in-a-row this year. Former Keady Lamh Dhearg manager Declan Napier is also believed to be interested and would bring considerable experience to the role having worked as a club coach in Armagh and Down, as well as managing the Down senior camogie team.
