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Irish Examiner
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Kevin Cassidy: It feels like history repeating itself with Jim McGuinness and Donegal
Former Donegal All-Star Kevin Cassidy reckons history is repeating itself and that Jim McGuinness is working from a similar blueprint to the one he devised 15 years ago. McGuinness was initially appointed Donegal manager in 2010 before guiding the team to an Ulster title in 2011 and an All-Ireland semi-final appearance. The following year, 2012, they won Ulster again and went on to win the All-Ireland. His second coming as Donegal management has been eerily similar, so far, with an Ulster title success and All-Ireland semi-final appearance straight away in 2024. They've retained the Anglo Celt Cup this year, as they did in 2012, and are many people's favourites ahead of Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final to go on and claim Sam again. "Back at home, it feels like that too," said AIB ambassador Cassidy of history repeating itself. Read More Morris happy to trade injury risk for All-Ireland journey with Meath "With Jim, he takes on a project and he breaks everything apart and builds it back up, block by block. In 2011, that's what he did, he stripped it back and started to build. We failed in 2011 but he saw the differences in what needed to happen to get to the top table. "Like, if you look at the game against Galway last year, if we had Michael Murphy, would we have got over the line? Jim obviously identified that. He brought Michael back in. "I think they're playing a better mixture this year. We were just running the ball constantly last year. There's a small mixture change this year. I think for any team to win the All-Ireland, especially in Croke Park, you need to vary your game. You have to be able to kick it. "But yeah, it does look like that (2011 and 2012 repeating) at the minute. We have to get Meath out of the way first." Cassidy acknowledged that Meath could easily upset Donegal's plans. He said that the Royals possess the ability to hurt Donegal from two-pointers, or closer in with goals. "Monaghan were overly reliant on twos the last day," said Cassidy. "Donegal knew that if they closed that avenue off, then they weren't overly worried about what Monaghan would do inside. But Meath pose a different threat in that they have men inside who can hurt you also."
Irish Times
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Raymond Galligan steps down as Cavan football manager
Raymond Galligan has stepped down as Cavan senior football manager after two years in charge. The former county goalkeeper, who was appointed on a three-year term in September 2023, has brought his spell at the helm to an end, citing work and family commitments as the reasons for his decision. 'Raymond has been a wonderful servant to Cavan GAA over the years as a footballer, team captain, manager and a positive role model for all. Raymond always had time for all the younger fans which did not go unnoticed,' stated Cavan GAA. Cavan retained their Division Two status during both of Galligan's seasons in charge. They chalked up a famous victory over Mayo in this year's championship but exited the competition after a heavy defeat to Kerry in the preliminary quarter-finals. READ MORE As a player Galligan made 114 appearances, scoring an impressive 1-122 despite being a goalkeeper for the majority of his Cavan career. He captained the team from 2019 -2023 and lifted the Anglo Celt Cup in 2020. He also won an All Star that year. 'Cavan GAA would like to put on record their appreciation and gratitude for the huge commitment and effort Raymond and his management have given to Cavan football. We wish Raymond, his wife Niamh and their two young children the best in the future and thank you again from all in Cavan GAA.' Speaking to the Anglo Celt newspaper, Galligan explained his reasons for stepping away: 'I manage a very busy day centre in Rathfarnham for adults with intellectual disabilities and it has just reached a point where I can't commit myself fully to both roles, especially with all of the travelling involved and family commitments with two small children.'
Irish Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Paddy McBrearty delivers honest assessment of Donegal's Ulster final win
Paddy McBrearty has made the victorious walk seven times in his illustrious county career, twice as Donegal's captain. On Saturday, McBrearty spearheaded his team to consecutive Ulster SFC titles with a nail-biting extra-time win over Armagh by a single point at Clones. Ascending the steps of the Gerry Arthurs Stand, he lifted the Anglo Celt Cup amidst the roars of thousands of Donegal supporters who flooded the pitch to partake in the festivities. The Donegal faithful are surely dreaming of McBrearty climbing another set of steps to hoist an even grander trophy later in the summer. Yet, to conquer that summit, McBrearty admits they must sharpen their ability to seal victories when ahead, having allowed Armagh to erase a seven-point lead before Oisin Conaty's last-gasp leveller pushed the game into extra-time, reports Belfast Live. "That was serious. . . in the last minute of normal time, we should have had it in the bag," McBrearty reflected. "It wasn't an easy changing room to go into, but, jeez, thank God a couple of breaks went our way there in extra-time and we got over the line. "But there's easier ways to win games, and that's probably the next step for us - that's something we're going to have to look at, because we were seven points up. "We let them back into it through our own mistakes, I felt, especially in our own kick-outs. We weren't winning our kick-outs well. There's a lot of things we can work on." When queried about what was said by Jim McGuinness in the Donegal dressing room after normal time, McBrearty responded: "I wouldn't repeat it. You couldn't print what was said in there, to be honest!". Whatever was uttered behind closed doors in the Donegal dressing room seemed to do the trick as, despite trailing twice in extra-time, the reigning champions managed to edge past Kieran McGeeney's side with Niall O'Donnell's point proving decisive. Armagh departed Clones without the provincial title and haven't clinched Ulster since 2008, but their impressive Championship record remains unbroken with Tyrone being the last team to defeat the Orchard County in normal time during the group stages in 2023. "They (Armagh) are a serious team, and there's nothing between the teams,"said McBrearty. "That was Ulster football at its finest. It has been four matches and we've only beaten them once in normal time, so they are a serious, serious outfit. "Even when we were seven up, we wanted to push harder because we knew that we needed a larger lead - we always anticipated their comeback. "I have to say, there wasa couple of yearsthere we didn't win anything, especially from 2019 to 2024, so we're delighted "When these days come, you can't let them go past you." After securing Ulster last season, Donegal were tipped as potential dark horses for the Sam Maguire, but they were defeated 1-14 to 0-15 by Galway in the semi-final. Donegal, with another Ulster crown secured, are shaping up to be serious challengers for the All-Ireland title one year on. Entering the All-Ireland series in a similar fashion to last year, their inaugural match is a home game against Tyrone in Ballybofey, followed by an away game versus Cavan and a neutral venue face-off against Mayo in the rest of the Group One bouts. Last season witnessed Donegal needing extra time to take down Tyrone in the Ulster semi-final, yet when they clashed during the group phase at MacCumhaill Park, Donegal triumphed with a seven-point margin over the Red Hands. Tyrone, now steered by Malachy O'Rourke, narrowly missed out on a win against Armagh in Clones earlier this month, having been ahead of the reigning All-Ireland champions by two points towards the end of the provincial semi-final. Despite Jim McGuinness's flawless record in Championship games against Tyrone, McBrearty is aware of their eagerness for redemption in the All-Ireland series. "We'll take the learnings from the game - obviously, there's big things to work on," the Donegal captain remarked. "Listen, Tyrone probably should have beat Armagh. You know, they had it in the bag, really, with a minute to go. They're going to be top opposition as well for us."
Irish Examiner
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Donegal tackle a new question — go for a score or hold on for the hooter?
In the clutch. Twice Donegal had possession one point up with the clock ticking down. The first time they let the lead slip. In extra-time, they held on. A pop pass to Peadar Mogan broke down in the final minute to allow Oisín Conaty kick an equaliser and extend the rollercoaster ride for a 28,788 crowd. Ultimately, Jim McGuinness' side defended their Anglo Celt Cup to secure their 12th Ulster title. 'The Ulster Championship asks questions of you,' said McGuinness post-match. 'And if you can stand up and answer those questions, you learn a lot more about yourself and about your players. And we have managed to do that again today.' The new rules had a seismic impact on the match. That was particularly apparent at the end. With the addition of a hooter, there is now a certain conclusion. Donegal opted to try wind down the clock before Conaty's late equaliser. They did it successfully at the end of extra-time after Niall O'Donnell's winner. 'We were trying to manage the game,' McGuinness explained. 'The game was asking questions and the clock was there. I think every county in Ireland are working on scenario-based final phases. Armagh are probably the best team in the country at that. 'We had two possessions in the last minute where we didn't manage it well at all. So it was fantastic that the boys were able to see that last 30 seconds out there when the pressure was at its peak. So we have to trust them to make good decisions. We have to trust them to make good decisions and the clock is playing a part. You have got to be able to be tactical and intensive and also understand that there is another dynamic in the corner there that you have to manage. And we didn't do that well with 69 on the clock.' Plenty of sides will face a similar scenario in this championship. Previously, there was legitimate fears that a referee may allow the clock to run beyond any minutes added on. Now there is certainty. There was no need to change tack at the end of normal time. Donegal had a plan. They just needed to execute it better. Niall O'Donnell, who produced some significant points in last year's encounter, kicked two monster scores in extra-time including the winner. 'It is all about going in and resetting,' said Peadar Mogan. 'You can't dwell on it. The first thing when we go in is it is gone. Finished. We all said scrap it. That is it. We will take the learnings on Thursday but we won't worry about it now. We have to go win a game. We did feel like we had legs. We had a wee bit in us. I think we missed three shots in a row there. We were still getting in.' That was another huge call by management. Their last three shots were from substitutes who came on. Jamie Brennan kicked a wide, Jason McGee was blocked down, Aaron Doherty dropped a late opportunity short. At the start of extra-time, all three were taken off again. On top of that, McGuinness had to deal with the looming possibility of another penalty shoot-out. The 2024 and 2023 Ulster final was decided in this fashion. Donegal were already considering who their five takers were going to be. 'We were thinking about it when we got to the end of normal time. That is what Armagh do to you. They are going to bring it down to the wire and they're going to try and find a way to stay in the game.'
Irish Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Donegal v Armagh brawl slammed as Gardaí forced to intervene
Gardaí were forced to intervene as a brawl broke out following Donegal's Ulster final win over Armagh on Saturday. There were ugly scenes at the final whistle after Donegal edged out Armagh by a single point after extra-time. Niall O'Donnell was the hero for Jim McGuinness' men as he kicked what the winning point with two minutes to go in extra-time, with Donegal closing out the game to become the 100th winner of the Anglo Celt Cup as they won by 2-23 to 0-28. A brawl broke out following the final whistle in Clones as members of both sides were involved and Gardaí were forced to step in. Speaking after the game, McGuinness said on the unsavoury scenes: 'I don't have a perspective on that. It's not nice to see. It shouldn't happen. I was giving my daughter a hug at the time. I didn't see what happened, but it shouldn't be in the game.' GAA disciplinary officials are now expected to review footage of the incident, with suspensions possible. The row broke out as fans made their way on to the pitch after the game. Meanwhile, Michael Murphy told how days like Saturday are why he decided to come out of inter-county retirement. "Ulster is always our bread and butter, it's always our thing, for so many years we could never win them," he told RTE after being named the Man of the Match. "It's just brilliant to get back in again and just the heart and the desire of them lads out there today, the people in Donegal in general. "There were times when we were in (the game), we were out and we were back in and back out, but it's just great that we got out on the right side of it there today." He added on Armagh: "Listen, Armagh are an absolute incredible side, they're an absolute credit. They're All-Ireland champions, they've been in Ulster finals the last number of years. "They're a brilliant side. It's not the last we're going to see of them this year."
