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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."
Irish Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Jim McGuinness thrilled with Donegal's Ulster win: ‘We did not want to give that crown up'
Jim McGuinness says Donegal were determined not to leave Clones without the Anglo Celt Cup on Saturday evening. After an epic Ulster decider, Donegal emerged from extra-time with the narrowest of victories over Armagh – retaining the title for only the third time in the county's history. [ Donegal win extra-time thriller against Armagh to take Ulster title Opens in new window ] 'It was All-Ireland champions against Ulster champions,' said McGuinness afterwards. 'We did not want to give that crown up but we had to go to the same level as we went last year to retain it. So, yeah, as I say, we'll enjoy it tonight, but we'll have to refocus very quickly for our group stages now. 'The Ulster Championship asks questions of you and if you can stand up and answer those questions, you learn a lot more about yourself and about your players. And we've managed to do that again today. READ MORE 'And we have to now take the learnings, and there is going to be a significant amount, from the game and see can we apply those now to the group stage and to the All-Ireland series.' This was the fifth Ulster title McGuinness had managed Donegal to during his two stints at the helm. 'They're all special. And you know, you're a packed house out there and the sun's shining. We all travelled to Ulster finals as children. 'Somebody's going to win and somebody, unfortunately, is not going to win. And we had a lot of days against Armagh where we were out the wrong side of it. A lot of days I played in Ulster finals so they're very, very special. 'And we will enjoy tonight and enjoy that with our families and everything else. And refocus then as quickly as we can because another competition is going to start now. 'But we're not talking much about that tonight. Just proud of them tonight. Proud of the way they went about it and kept going to the very end. And they're entitled to celebrate.' Tempers flare between the two teams after the final whistle as fans and members of An Garda Síochána converge. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho GAA disciplinary officials are expected to review footage of a row that broke out involving players and squad members from both camps after the final whistle. Gardai had to separate those involved in what was a potentially dangerous flashpoint as supporters entered the field and suspensions are possible. When asked about his perspective on the row, McGuinness said: '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 no, it shouldn't be in the game.' Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney must now try pick up his players again as they begin their Sam Maguire defence. 'Yeah, but you just have to start again. Some things are harder to take than others,' said the Armagh boss. 'We'll just sit down over the next 24 hours and look at the game and see what we can control and what we can't, and sort of try and push on. 'It's always tough when you get beat, so what do you do? That's part and parcel of sport, you just have to keep going.'
Irish Examiner
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'It shouldn't happen. I was giving my daughter a hug at the time' - McGuinness on Clones chaos
They found a way. For Jim McGuinness, that was the ultimate triumph. His side showed huge character to come back from a poor finish in normal time to eventually clinch the Anglo Celt Cup. Armagh lost out in a dramatic Ulster final for the third year in a row. Donegal were unable to see it out in normal time but found way after two additional periods, with Niall O'Donnell's final point proving the winner. "That's where your training comes in,' said McGuinness post-match. 'That is every night. It's everything you do. It's everything you do away from the training. All of those moments are going to come to the surface at some stage and that's what we were talking about in our huddle at half time and extra time. ''We've a lot of work done, lads. You know, we've a lot of work done. We can't let this slip because we've been so dedicated to this thing for the last number of months.' So I'm sure Armagh were saying exactly the same thing. But these are the conversations you have to find with yourself because you have to find something.' It was a thrilling contest. A crowd of 28,788 were captivated throughout. 'For me, the Ulster Championship and the Munster Hurling Championship are just on a par. They bring so much. They ignite so much within people. It's crazy. But at the same time, there'll be a serious game in Croke Park tomorrow. The Connacht Final was seriously competitive. 'Listen, I think the provincials are in a good place. I think there's a lot of people, for whatever reason, talking them down or had been talking them down. But maybe that narrative will change on the back of this season because that was a serious competition in all provinces this year. And for us, we're just thankful. We're delighted.' After the conclusion, a scuffle broke out on the pitch involving members of both squads. 'I don't have a perspective on that,' said McGuinness when asked. 'It is 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 no, it shouldn't be in the game.' Meanwhile, Kieran McGeeney was left frustrated by a late refereeing decision. 'The less said about the rub of the green in our sport, the better," he said. 'Unless it comes from me, nobody ever does (say it). When Ross McQuillan won the kick-out, how he didn't get a free kick is beyond comprehension. It is hard to fathom, it really is.' The All-Ireland champions will now join Galway, Dublin and Derry in Group 4. Donegal will face Mayo, Tyrone and Cavan. 'As far as I know, we've been in the Group of Death for the last three years,' said McGeeney. 'So what's new? 'It is a tough one. Derry are playing well by all accounts in the challenge games, and Dublin are Dublin, and Galway are probably one of the best teams in the country at the minute, but there is no easy ones left.'
