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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.
BreakingNews.ie
10-05-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Donegal retain Ulster title after dramatic extra-time win over Armagh
Donegal have defended their Ulster football title but needed extra time to do it. Oisin Conaty brought Armagh level on 70 minutes to leave the game level 0-23 to 1-20 in Clones. Advertisement Niall O'Donnell's last gasp point was enough to win it for Jim McGuinness's men who came out on top after 90 mins by 2-23 to 0-28 points. It means the All-Ireland champions have lost the last three Ulster finals after extra time.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
BBC pundits preview Ulster Football final
In a repeat of last year's Ulster final, the defending champions Donegal take on the All-Ireland champions Armagh at a sold-out Clones. The Tir Chonaill men are hoping to retain the title while Armagh are aiming to win the Anglo-Celt cup for the first time since 2008 after penalty shootout defeats to Derry and Donegal in 2023 and 2024. BBC Sport NI will have you fully covered across all platforms on TV coverage begins on BBC Two NI and the BBC iPlayer at 16:55 BST and you can also watch the programme live on the BBC Sport Ladies final will be live on the iPlayer and website from 14: BBC Sport website will be your hub for all of our coverage where our live page will have live text updates, in-play clips, analysis, reaction and highlights. Chrissy McKaigue (Former Derry captain) I'll keep it short and keep it simple, my prediction is Donegal to win by one or two points.I just feel with Jim McGuinness' record in the Ulster Championship that it would be hard to make a case to go against him. That being said he is facing probably one of, if not the most difficult opponents ever in the reigning All-Ireland champions Armagh. I just think that Donegal in their past two games have probably not played to their full potential and if they're primed for a big game I think it might be an Ulster final. It's a difficult one to call and Armagh could very easily win this game present I think that Donegal and Armagh, alongside Galway and Kerry, are amongst the four best teams in the country and if the draw goes the right way you may very well see all four in the All-Ireland Donegal Brendan Devenney (Former Donegal forward) It's a third final in a row for Armagh and in Jim McGuinness' six years as Donegal manager so far he's been in six Ulster finals. It's a remarkable back, who is better this year from last year? From a Donegal perspective the obvious one is Michael Murphy is back in and all that he brings with his experience and game management but, Finbarr Roarty is a massive plus as an attacking big worry for Donegal is whether or not Caolan McGonagle has recovered from injury. He's an absolutely pivotal player at number Armagh and when you look at it, Barry McCambridge wasn't involved in last year's Ulster final and neither was Niall it went down the stretch against Tyrone, Armagh looked very comfortable and very well form of Ethan Rafferty as a fly-keeper has been unreal and just how much he comes out into the field against Donegal remains to be seen and how much pressure can they put on Sean Patton's kickouts when he does come up?A fascinating final is in store. I think they have both improved and it could come down to extra-time and who knows? Maybe penalties will take it with Jamie Brennan coming off the bench to kick the Donegal Oisin McConville (All-Ireland winner with Armagh) It's the game of the year for me and it's been the one I've been looking forward to from when the draw was made and I thought that Donegal and Armagh would be in an Ulster it's a repeat of last year and to be plain and simple, the teams don't like each other. It's bordering on what Tyrone and Armagh were like in the noughties, there's no love lost there at that make any difference? Well it adds a bit of spice to it and there will be ferocity in every single tackle and it's one that is going to be packed out, the atmosphere is going to be electric, and I think everyone just cannot wait for far as the game itself, I think Donegal played in second or third gear the last day out and Armagh were probably put to the pin of their collar by Tyrone and still had the presence of mind to win that ultimate for Armagh would be to win this game on penalties and that would put a lot of ghosts to rest as far as the Ulster Championship and penalty shootouts and everything Armagh Owen Mulligan (Three-time All-Ireland winner with Tyrone) I'm really looking forward to the Ulster two very similar teams with two very similar styles but, I'm going to have to sit on the fence for this one and go for a draw so extra time and penalties!Prediction: Draw after extra-time, penalties to decide Conor McManus (Former Monaghan captain) There doesn't seem to be a weakness in either team. Whatever way you look at it, it's hard to see it not going the having watched the semi-finals, some would claim Armagh are in better form, but an Ulster final is never that simple. Predictions aren't simple either, but I do think it will be a draw. The past three Ulster finals have all needed extra-time and I'm expecting the same on Saturday. Beyond that, penalty shootouts are a lottery, although Armagh haven't had much luck over the past few years. If Armagh don't get a few players back from injury, it may just about tip the scales in Donegal's favour, but I can definitely see it going the Draw after extra-time, penalties to decide
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
2025 Ulster Football Final: Armagh vs Donegal start time, BBC coverage, team news & weather
And just like that, we have arrived at another Ulster final. This year's Ulster series has produced some tight and compelling games, but Armagh and Donegal being the last two counties standing comes as no great shock. It is, after all, a repeat of last year's decider, won by Donegal in a penalty shootout at the end of an enthralling afternoon in Clones. For Donegal, a 12th Ulster crown - which would draw the county level with Down - is up for grabs. Of course, Jim McGuinness led Donegal to back-to-back Ulster titles before their 2012 All-Ireland triumph. Given the return of Michael Murphy and the county's serious designs on lifting Sam this year, McGuinness is hoping another provincial repeat provides the ideal platform for his players this summer. For Armagh, it is a third Ulster final appearance in a row. Kieran McGeeney's side still carry the scars of penalty shootout losses in 2023 and 2024, but they are the All-Ireland champions and will feel as confident as ever about finally ending their quest for a first Ulster title since 2008. The past three Ulster finals have needed extra-time and this weekend's showpiece promises to be another close-run affair. Here is all you need to know about the 2025 Ulster final.
