Latest news with #AidanForker
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rian O'Neill named in Armagh panel for Derry clash
All Star Rian O'Neill is a late inclusion in Armagh's panel to face Derry in their All-Ireland series opener at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday (17:00 BST). The GAA have confirmed that they have approved a late panel change request from Armagh with O'Neill coming in to take the place of captain Aidan Forker. The Crossmaglen forward, a key part of the Orchard County which lifted the Sam Maguire last year, has yet to feature this season after stepping away from the squad for personal reasons. Manager Kieran McGeeney said in March that he did not expect O'Neill to feature in 2025 but he was togged out with the team before their Ulster Final defeat to Donegal in Clones two weeks ago. The hosts' side shows three changes from that extra-time defeat in the provincial decider with Peter McGrane and Jason Duffy coming into the starting panel, the latter named in midfield. Callum O'Neill and Greg McCabe drop to an experienced bench that also features the likes of Stefan Campbell and Conor Turbitt. Derry are in championship action for the first time since their 1-25 to 1-15 Ulster preliminary round defeat to Donegal on 6 April. With Odhran Lynch still missing, Ben McKinless gets the start in goals after being on the bench that day in Ballybofey. Ruairi Forbes, Conor Doherty and Niall Loughlin also come into the side. Derry must again do without All Stars Gareth McKinless and Conor McCluskey, although Anton Tohill returns on the bench. Armagh: Ethan Rafferty; Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge, Peter McGrane; Ross McQuillan, Rian O'Neill, Jarly Og Burns; Jason Duffy, Ben Crealey; Darragh McMullan, Rory Grugan, Oisin Conaty; Tiernan Kelly, Andrew Murnin, Oisin O'Neill. Subs: Blaine Hughes, Tomas McCormack, Greg McCabe, Connaire Mackin, Cian McConville, Joe McElroy, Niall Grimley, Callum O'Neill, Stefan Campbell, Conor Turbitt, Shane McPartlan. Derry: Ben McKinless; Patrick McGurk, Eoin McEvoy, Diarmuid Baker; Ruairi Forbes, Brendan Rogers, Padraig McGrogan; Conor Glass, Conor Doherty; Ciaran McFaul, Paul Cassidy, Ethan Doherty; Niall Loughlin, Shane McGuigan, Niall Toner. Subs: Louis Regan, Ryan Mulholland, Dan Higgins, Kevin Quinn, Anton Tohill, Tommy Rogers, Ben McCarron, Charlie Diamond, Cahir McMonagle, Caolan Devlin, Danny McDermot.
Irish Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Players involved in Ulster final flare up could avoid suspension over loop hole
The flare-up at the end of the Armagh/Donegal Ulster Final at the weekend may not result in suspensions for any of the players involved, it has emerged. RTE cameras missed the start of the incident as Donegal kicked the ball out over the sideline and celebrated following their extra-time victory at Clones. Social media footage has since emerged showing a Donegal player appearing to celebrate in front of the Armagh bench. An individual emerges from the Armagh bench and strikes the Donegal player before two more individuals wade into the player. It is unclear from the footage who the individual players are, and identifying them would be an issue in any investigation - even if the GAA ask the counties for the names of the individuals involved. It is also unlikely that the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) would be able to use the social media footage of the incident as video evidence to build a case against any of the players involved. The RTE footage shows Armagh All-Ireland winning captain Aidan Forker gesticulating at Donegal manager Jim McGuinness after the final whistle with a flare-up going on the background. GAA chiefs are unlikely to let the matter go after the ugly scenes which marred the immediate aftermath of a compelling Ulster decider at St. Tiernach's Park - and with the game live on TV. The GAA could charge either or both counties with 'Disruptive Conduct by Players, Team Officials or Supporters (not causing the Premature Termination of a Game).' Another potential charge is 'Misconduct considered to have discredited the Association,' with either charge potentially leading to fines. The other variable in the equation is the report of match referee, Kildare's Brenan Cawley. It is unclear what Cawley and his team of officials observed, but the referee's report is regarded as sacrosanct by the GAA and will be the key factor in any investigation. Armagh face Derry at the Athletic Grounds in their All-Ireland series opener the weekend after next, while Donegal are at home to Tyrone on the same weekend.
Belfast Telegraph
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Armagh and Donegal GAA fans caught on camera in garage brawl after Ulster final
The incident, captured on video and now circulating widely on social media, reportedly took place at a Circle K garage shortly after Donegal edged out Armagh in a dramatic finish in Clones. The footage shows a chaotic scene as punches are exchanged between fans from both counties – seemingly groups of young men – with shocked onlookers scrambling to avoid getting caught up in the brawl. At one point, a person is knocked into a product display, sending cans tumbling to the floor amid visible damage throughout the store. This confrontation came on the heels of an earlier scuffle near the pitch, which required Gardaí intervention to separate members of opposing camps. Donegal manager Jim McGuinness addressed the incident during his post-match comments, stating: 'I didn't witness it myself—I was hugging my daughter at the time—but it's disappointing. That kind of behaviour has no place in the game.' GAA officials are expected to review the video evidence, and disciplinary action, including potential suspensions, could be on the table for those involved. The post-match melee occurred as fans flooded the field to celebrate the win. It is understood that it began after members of the Armagh panel descended on a Donegal player that overzealously celebrated near the bench, after the latter won the 2025 Anglo-Celt Cup. Donegal retained the Ulster title, beating Armagh 2-23 to 0-28 after extra time. As Donegal celebrated their victory, one of their players paused in front of the Armagh bench in a show of emotion. This appeared to provoke a reaction, as an individual from the Armagh side—dressed in black—stepped off the bench and seemed to strike the Donegal player. The Donegal player stood his ground, but the moment quickly escalated, with several members of the Armagh bench rushing forward and chaos erupting soon after. Images that have since emerged show Armagh captain Aidan Forker aggressively pointing a finger at McGuinness, whilst the latter and Orchard manager Kieran McGeeney also try to break the sides up.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Too much made of Jimmy's winning matches'
'Jimmy's winning matches' was blasting out from the Clones PA system even if the saviour himself did not appear overly enamoured with Donegal's unofficial GAA anthem. "That's wrong. The players are winning the matches and that's something that gets lost in the ether. There's too much about that," a suddenly almost irritated Jim McGuinness told BBC Sport NI after he had spoken of his joy at his Donegal team's retention of the Ulster Football title with an extra-time victory over All-Ireland champions Armagh. "See in that 10 seconds to go there and they lose possession…..the game's gone. It's not Jimmy doing that." McGuinness was talking about the frantic closing moments of extra time as Donegal attempted to hold on to the ball and their one-point lead as Armagh pressed them deep into their own territory before Dara O Baoill was able to boot the ball into the crowd when the hooter sounded. As Donegal's celebrations began, things turned ugly for 90 odd seconds seemingly sparked by an Armagh fist connecting with a jubilant opponent who had ventured too close to the Orchard County bench. A melee ensured with Garda personnel involved in separating some of the warring parties after scenes which included Aidan Forker appearing to have words with McGuinness amid some vigorous finger pointing by the Armagh skipper following his side's third successive Ulster Final defeat - all beyond regulation. Order was soon restored and, with the Donegal fans singing along deliriously in tribute to the manager as the players celebrated lifting another Anglo-Celt Cup, it was instructive to remember that the Glenties man has now managed his beloved county to five of their 12 provincial titles. The seven-point advantage that Donegal twice built in the first half had been founded on attacking Ethan Rafferty's kickout. The Armagh keeper found a team-mate on a remarkable 23 out of 24 occasions in the provincial semi-final against Tyrone. It was a different story a fortnight on as Donegal picked off several of Rafferty's re-starts which included one soaring catch in midfield by his opposite number Shaun Patton and a couple of steals by fit-again centre half-back Caolan McGonagle. McGuinness insisted he was expecting Armagh's fightback which made Donegal's eventual triumph amid the frantic conclusion all the sweeter. "Armagh always find a way to come back into the game and ask those questions of you. "We should have had the game won in normal time and we let it slip, so I'm so proud of them that they found a way to get doubled down and win that game." Armagh seemed to have the momentum as Jarly Og Burns put them ahead for the first time three minutes into extra time after the magnificent Oisin Conaty's sixth point from play in the final 10 seconds of normal time had ensured the 20 additional minutes of action. The Orchard led by one on two further occasions in extra time but crucially couldn't add to their advantage - with Rory Grugan, amid being subdued in open play by Ryan McHugh, missing a crucial point-scoring chance early in the second 10-minute period - before Ciaran Moore's goal suddenly had Donegal ahead once more. Donegal beat Armagh again in titanic Ulster battle 'I'm blessed they asked me back' - Murphy on Donegal return Donegal beat Armagh in Ulster final extra-time thriller - as it happened After convincing Michael Murphy to return to county colours last autumn, the manager's embrace with the Glenswilly man after full-time was replete with emotion. Tears were soon flowing as the 35-year-old hugged his father Mick. "His leadership on the pitch and his skill level obviously, it was just fantastic to have him in our group for this game and I'm so delighted that he's come back and he's got an Ulster championship medal again. That's massive for him," added McGuinness of Murphy. After cramping up Murphy had to be replaced midway through the first period of extra time but not before a vital contribution which included three superb scores from play and a remarkable off-balance first-half catch to win a free which skipper Patrick McBrearty pointed. In the closing seconds of normal time as Donegal attempted to hold onto a one-point advantage, Murphy did his bit as his burst past an Armagh challenge on the right flank used up a few more seconds, but his team-mates were unable to show similar composure with the ball being coughed up for Conaty's equaliser. As Donegal celebrated, Armagh keeper Rafferty hinted at a degree of upset in the Orchard camp about Stefan Campbell not earning a free with four minutes to go in extra time. Rafferty's two-point free a minute earlier had levelled the contest after Ciaran Moore's goal for Donegal. "We been here three times. Three extra times, and you're sort of banking on it being straight down the middle," said Rafferty, whose recovery from his first-half kickout difficulties led to him being named the BBC Sport NI man of the match by pundit Philly McMahon. "They'll probably argue they had some as well, but it's tough to take no matter what happened really." For his part, McMahon felt Campbell had been harshly done by. "It's hard in the moment for the referee to call that but when you see it slowed down you can make a better decision on it," said the former Dublin defender. "He takes four steps, cuts in, kind of lifts his feet off the ground and gets his feet taken from him, so for me it is a free in. Maurice [Deegan, former inter-county referee] had a look at it as well and said it might have been a free in as well." Small margins indeed.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Too much made of Jimmy's winning matches'
'Jimmy's winning matches' was blasting out from the Clones PA system even if the saviour himself did not appear overly enamoured with Donegal's unofficial GAA anthem."That's wrong. The players are winning the matches and that's something that gets lost in the ether. There's too much about that," a suddenly almost irritated Jim McGuinness told BBC Sport NI after he had spoken of his joy at his Donegal team's retention of the Ulster Football title with an extra-time victory over All-Ireland champions Armagh. "See in that 10 seconds to go there and they lose possession…..the game's gone. It's not Jimmy doing that."McGuinness was talking about the frantic closing moments of extra time as Donegal attempted to hold on to the ball and their one-point lead as Armagh pressed them deep into their own territory before Dara O Baoill was able to boot the ball into the crowd when the hooter Donegal's celebrations began, things turned ugly for 90 odd seconds seemingly sparked by an Armagh fist connecting with a jubilant opponent who had ventured too close to the Orchard County bench.A melee ensured with Garda personnel involved in separating some of the warring parties after scenes which included Aidan Forker appearing to have words with McGuinness amid some vigorous finger pointing by the Armagh skipper following his side's third successive Ulster Final defeat - all beyond was soon restored and, with the Donegal fans singing along deliriously in tribute to the manager as the players celebrated lifting another Anglo-Celt Cup, it was instructive to remember that the Glenties man has now managed his beloved county to five of their 12 provincial titles. The seven-point advantage that Donegal twice built in the first half had been founded on attacking Ethan Rafferty's Armagh keeper found a team-mate on a remarkable 23 out of 24 occasions in the provincial semi-final against was a different story a fortnight on as Donegal picked off several of Rafferty's re-starts which included one soaring catch in midfield by his opposite number Shaun Patton and a couple of steals by fit-again centre half-back Caolan insisted he was expecting Armagh's fightback which made Donegal's eventual triumph amid the frantic conclusion all the sweeter."Armagh always find a way to come back into the game and ask those questions of you. "We should have had the game won in normal time and we let it slip, so I'm so proud of them that they found a way to get doubled down and win that game."Armagh seemed to have the momentum as Jarly Og Burns put them ahead for the first time three minutes into extra time after the magnificent Oisin Conaty's sixth point from play in the final 10 seconds of normal time had ensured the 20 additional minutes of Orchard led by one on two further occasions in extra time but crucially couldn't add to their advantage - with Rory Grugan, amid being subdued in open play by Ryan McHugh, missing a crucial point-scoring chance early in the second 10-minute period - before Ciaran Moore's goal suddenly had Donegal ahead once more. After convincing Michael Murphy to return to county colours last autumn, the manager's embrace with the Glenswilly man after full-time was replete with emotion. Tears were soon flowing as the 35-year-old hugged his father Mick. "His leadership on the pitch and his skill level obviously, it was just fantastic to have him in our group for this game and I'm so delighted that he's come back and he's got an Ulster championship medal again. That's massive for him," added McGuinness of Murphy. After cramping up Murphy had to be replaced midway through the first period of extra time but not before a vital contribution which included three superb scores from play and a remarkable off-balance first-half catch to win a free which skipper Patrick McBrearty the closing seconds of normal time as Donegal attempted to hold onto a one-point advantage, Murphy did his bit as his burst past an Armagh challenge on the right flank used up a few more seconds, but his team-mates were unable to show similar composure with the ball being coughed up for Conaty's equaliser. As Donegal celebrated, Armagh keeper Rafferty hinted at a degree of upset in the Orchard camp about Stefan Campbell not earning a free with four minutes to go in extra two-point free a minute earlier had levelled the contest after Ciaran Moore's goal for Donegal."We been here three times. Three extra times, and you're sort of banking on it being straight down the middle," said Rafferty, whose recovery from his first-half kickout difficulties led to him being named the BBC Sport NI man of the match by pundit Philly McMahon."They'll probably argue they had some as well, but it's tough to take no matter what happened really."For his part, McMahon felt Campbell had been harshly done by."It's hard in the moment for the referee to call that but when you see it slowed down you can make a better decision on it," said the former Dublin defender. "He takes four steps, cuts in, kind of lifts his feet off the ground and gets his feet taken from him, so for me it is a free in. Maurice [Deegan, former inter-county referee] had a look at it as well and said it might have been a free in as well."Small margins indeed.
