Armagh wouldn't have won All-Ireland without the pain of Ulster Final agony, insists Aaron McKay
Armagh full-back Aaron McKay believes that his team would not have won the All-Ireland last year if they had lifted the Ulster Championship.
The Orchard County lost last season's Ulster Final against Donegal on penalties but instead of breaking their spirits, it buoyed them and their dynamic defender is convinced that hurt was necessary to fuel their Sam Maguire triumph.
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BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Glentoran's time will come with fine tuning
Glentoran owner Ali Pour says the club just needs a bit of "fine tuning" and he will "give it as long as it takes" for the club to achieve took over at the Irish Premiership side six years ago and the club have only won an Irish Cup and County Antrim Shield in that season, Declan Devine guided the club to the County Antrim Shield and a third place finish in the league, when a top-two finish would have secured European they missed out on Europe by losing the play-off semi-final, and were defeated in the BetMcLean Cup final and quarter-finals of the Irish admits it was a "disappointing season" but says the club are "getting there"."We've had a few hiccups along the way, but we are very close. "Had we scored an extra goal and finished second, this would be a very different conversation. Fine margins have resulted in where we are today."The gap isn't huge. I expected better results in the last six years, in terms of silverware. We should have won more trophies, no one can dispute that. "But it's never a huge gap. It's always fine margins. Many of the games we lost or drew last season were so finely poised. We were one goal away from finishing second. "The level is up there, the squad performance, Declan's performance - it's all where it should be. I think we just need a bit of fine tuning."Glentoran haven't won the league since the 2008-09 season, but Pour says he believes the Gibson Cup will return to the Oval sooner rather than later. "Our time will come eventually, whether it's under my control or others. "We are serious contenders. There's no reason why it can't happen - the budget's there, we're still signing top players, Declan is more than qualified and capable of bringing the Gibson Cup here."If I didn't think we were capable, I probably wouldn't invest as much. What would be the point? We are capable of doing it and I'm sure one day we will, Who knows, it could be this season." 'Strong bid' for stadium redevelopment Something that the London-based owner believes could add to Glentoran's all round success and improve things on and off the pitch, is a new League clubs are awaiting news on how much money they will receive from the long-awaited Northern Ireland Football Fund. In Pour's eyes his club have submitted the best application and have requested a large portion of the available £36 million."When you look at the Oval, the stadium is falling apart here and I've seen other stadiums that need money. We have waited long enough. "The government has made a decision that they are going to put an amount of money into football. £36 million is not enough by any means for the whole league, so hopefully there will be more to come."Pour says the club have "ticked all the boxes" with a strong bid, and says it is a "big chunk" of the fund."We put a very, very strong bid in and I am very proud of what we have done. We have asked for a lot, we've asked for a big chunk. "Look, we can build a stadium for £20 million, we can build one for £100 million. It just depends how advanced you want it to be."Our need is clear, we sell out many big games because there is space available, but it's jut not safe. "In terms of impact, our social partnership has done wonders in this area and we understand the need to be sustainable. So, we're very optimistic." 'We're missing a talisman' After finishing third this season, the east Belfast side lost their European play-off semi-final to Cliftonville, something Pour admitted falls well short of the club's standards."European football is very important financially and from an emotional perspective. I was disappointed at the end of the season as our squad was more than capable of progressing through Europe. "We put a very strong team together, so we could have done really well had we qualified for Europe. It was hard to see us not get in there and obviously we could have made a lot of money in Europe in the next few months.""Emotionally, the fans and myself, we deserve to be in Europe. We're a full time club, we're very well financed, we've spent a lot of money over the past few years. It should be a given. "Even statistically speaking, there are four places available. We're a top two/top three team, we should be in Europe every year. Now this is the second year we haven't qualified, it's disappointing." Looking ahead to next season and summer transfers, Pour said manager Declan Devine has identified the positions they need to have already signed Scottish midfielder Liam Burt from Shamrock Rovers and Pour stressed there would be further additions."We may bring in two or three more players to strengthen our squad for next season. We're missing a talisman, we're still lacking a real goalscorer, someone who pulls it all together. So, I think we need one more upfront and one in a more defensive position."The club's women's team have achieved great success in recent seasons, wining three of the last five NIFL Premiership titles, achieving European football and most recently topping their group in the All-Island Cup to progress to the quarter-finals where they will host Dublin side Bohemians."The women's team are the thing that cheers me up," said Pour. "When the men's team isn't doing to well, they give me energy. The manager, Kim [Turner], is doing a great job."They've had a great start to the season and are doing so well in the All-Island Cup. I will support them all the way."
Belfast Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Why it's time to reduce the size of Casement Park and finally get some shovels in the ground
Lee Costello At the weekend, Antrim's season officially came to a close following yet another humiliating defeat, this time at the hands of Wexford. This year, the Saffrons have suffered relegation to Division Four, a first round defeat in the Ulster Championship and a dismal Tailteann Cup where they were ripped apart by Westmeath, Limerick and finally the Model County.
Belfast Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Tyrone All-Ireland winner focused on county and not AFL after being named U20 Player of the Year
The Red Hands ace was outstanding as they defended their All-Ireland crown, scoring 2-4 in the Final against Louth including two goals in the second half. It continues a remarkable run for McElholm, who starred in the All-Ireland Minor Final for Tyrone and won the Hogan Cup with Omagh CBS, captaining the side to the title in 2023. And while the Loughmacrory teen is not shutting the door completely on an AFL career in the future, especially after impressing at the Draft Combine two years ago and spending time on loan with Fremantle last July, he is not taking his eye off his county role. "If the opportunity came, I'd definitely look into it because I was out twice and really enjoyed it out there,' said McElholm. "I really enjoyed the whole experience. But just for the meantime, the focus is on Tyrone and what happens there. "I did the combine over there, when I went out two years ago. It's the 2km run, the 20m sprint, the jump and agility test. I actually did well in the 20m sprint, I got top-10, ninth. Probably the rest of my scores weren't as good as the sprint. "But that's what they really look into, your physical attributes. Because they know when you're over there, you'll have the skill base to pick up on their game and learn it." McElholm admits he has kept a close eye on Fremantle since his time there but that it would be hard to walk away from Tyrone now when he is so close to cracking the senior team. The impressive youngster has come on as a substitute in all three of the county's Championship games thus far but he could be in line for his first start against Cavan this weekend, when a win would see Tyrone top their All-Ireland group and reach the Quarter-Finals. "It definitely would (be tough to walk away). It wouldn't be a straightforward decision,' said McElholm. "The two Canavans and Petey (Peter Harte) and Darren (McCurry), they're boys who you watched growing up. Now playing with them and learning different tips and skills, it's a complete pleasure. "I'd obviously have to think about it and stuff. I just really enjoyed the opportunity and obviously if things weren't going well, you're always only a flight away from home.' Reflecting on the Cavan game, the Sigerson Cup Semi-Finalist continued: "It's a knock-out game, that's the way you have to look at it. It's an elimination game now. You have to prepare for it as if it's your last chance basically. The main thing is getting a performance. "Cavan showed great glimpses of what they can do against Mayo and Donegal. They're going to be very up for it, especially after us beating them in the Ulster Championship." McElholm was one of six Tyrone players to be named in the Under-20s Team of the Year as the All-Ireland champions, unsurprisingly, dominated the nominations, with runners-up Louth having four on the panel, Mayo two and Kerry one. Goalkeeper Conan McGarvey, full-back Joey Clarke, corner-back Caolan Donnelly, centre-back Callum Daly and corner forward Ruairí McCullagh were all named in the team, with Donegal pair Kevin Muldoon and Seanan Carr also included. Under-20s Team of the Year: Conan McGarvey (Tyrone); Padraic Tinnelly (Louth), Joey Clarke (Tyrone), Caolan Donnelly (Tyrone); Tadhg McDonnell (Louth), Callum Daly (Tyrone), Hugh O'Loughlin (Mayo); Sean Callaghan (Louth), James Maguire (Louth); Kevin Muldoon (Donegal), Eoin McElholm (Tyrone), Seanan Carr (Donegal); Ruairí McCullagh (Tyrone), Tomás Kennedy (Kerry), Darragh Beirne (Mayo)
