Latest news with #Donaghy
Irish Examiner
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Kernan: Donaghy's Armagh time was stepping stone to Kerry role
Aaron Kernan reckons Kieran Donaghy's five years with Armagh were all part of a long-term journey towards a major management role with Kerry. Donaghy stepped down from his position as coach and selector in Armagh last week, leaving boss Kieran McGeeney with a significant hole to fill. Former Armagh defender Kernan said that the Kerry legend was a big part of the county's All-Ireland win in 2024, pointing to the special bond he helped create with his energy and enthusiasm alone. Four-time All-Ireland winner Donaghy, a towering midfielder and full-forward for Kerry, previously worked as a performance coach with the Galway hurlers and with IT Tralee's Sigerson Cup team too. Asked if Donaghy is a likely future Kerry manager, Kernan nodded. "Yeah, absolutely," said Kernan, who was speaking exclusively to BOYLESports as a Gaelic Games ambassador ahead of the All-Ireland SFC final. "Whether that is as a manager or a head coach or someone who is heavily involved within Kerry. "As much as we're grateful for everything he gave to Armagh football, you would have to imagine that that was all really a learning experience for him in terms of trying to take something back to Kerry, whether that's maybe doing a stint with Austin Stacks and then obviously you would have to imagine ultimately it would be with a view to getting involved in Kerry football and management. "So I think it started out maybe as a learning experience for him and then something that he just went full out and became completely ingrained in. "But yeah, you would have to imagine that somewhere down the line, the experiences and the learnings that he would have had over the past few years will go a long way to shaping him as a head coach or a manager somewhere in Kerry in the near future." Crossmaglen man Kernan, son of 2002 All-Ireland winning boss Joe, said that Donaghy was a huge personality in the Armagh backroom. "As an Armagh person, you couldn't but say fair play to him for being so committed," said Kernan, a coach with Sligo this year. "He has a young family, is busy with work, so to stick at something like that for five years given the travel that was involved was incredible. "His personality was huge. If you exclude what he could bring in terms of coaching insights, his personality was infectious enough on its own to have around the group because he brings so much energy and he instils so much confidence in those around him through his personality, through his own nature. "I think that's going to be a huge loss within the group because when you have someone like that who has been there and one it as a player, if he's telling you that you're going well, if he's telling you you're flying fit or your form's great, you tend to believe it when it comes from someone who has played in the biggest days and achieved everything there was to achieve. "So it's not a shock that he's gone because giving five years as he did was incredible. But I would say the biggest thing would be the camaraderie, the energy and the positivity that he brings around the group. The players will definitely miss him." Kernan reckons that Donegal will beat Donaghy's native Kerry in Sunday's final, 'by one or two', pointing to the Ulster champions' defensive ability firstly, but also their counter-attacking excellence when they win back the ball. He is disappointed that it will be the last game under the current Championship format though with the decision taken to switch to the current Sigerson Cup format for 2026. "As the season is closing, to me, I would have liked to see the new rules get a couple of years in the current format," said Kernan. "The new rules have been unbelievably positive, they've absolutely changed the landscape. "But just the way the season has went, and the amount of quality games that we've seen all across the board, it's just a pity that they are changing now. I'm not sure if the avenue is there to revert it back, or to vote to leave it as it is, but from my own personal point of view, I would like to see it stay for another year, maybe two years, where it gives you a proper trial period to see are the new rules benefiting long-term. "They certainly look like they are at the moment but I'd like to see them in the current format rather than everything being completely changed again next year."
Irish Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Aaron Kernan plots out Kieran Donaghy's coaching path after leaving Armagh
Aaron Kernan believes that Kieran Donaghy is a Kerry manager in waiting. Donaghy recently stepped down from his role as Armagh coach after five years working under Kieran McGeeney, the high point being last year's All-Ireland success as they beat his native county en route in the semi-final. Kerry turned the tables in this year's quarter-final as they ended Armagh's reign, after which Donaghy announced his departure, but former Orchard star Kernan believes that he will take a senior position in the Kingdom's management team in the future. READ MORE: Hilarious video shows Sharlene Mawdsley race Tipperary fan amid All-Ireland celebrations READ MORE: Liverpool hero Joey Jones dies aged 70 as John Aldridge leads tributes 'Yeah, absolutely,' he said. 'Whether that is as a manager or certainly a head coach or someone who is heavily involved within Kerry. 'As much as we're grateful for everything he gave to Armagh football, you would have to imagine that that was all really a learning experience for him in terms of trying to take something back to Kerry, whether that's maybe doing a stint with Stacks and then obviously you would have to imagine ultimately it would be with the view to getting involved in Kerry football and management at some level. 'So I think it started out maybe as a learning experience for him and then something that he just went full out and became completely ingrained in. But yeah, you would have to imagine that somewhere down the line, the experiences and the learnings that he would have had over the past few years will go a long way to shaping him as a head coach or a manager somewhere in Kerry in the near future.' Kernan paid tribute to Donaghy for the commitment he gave to Armagh, which involved a hellish commute from his base in Tralee. 'The big one is obviously just simply time and effort that he would have had to put in to commit for five years. I think that speaks volumes, even if there was no success and no All-Ireland. As an Armagh person you couldn't but say fair play to him for being so committed. (He) has a young family, busy with work, but to stick at something like that for five years given the travel that was involved was incredible.' Aaron Kernan was speaking as a BOYLE Sports Gaelic Games ambassador.
The Irish Sun
18-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I walk away full of pride' – Kieran Donaghy sends emotional message to Armagh GAA fans after confirming exit
KIERAN DONAGHY has described his involvement in Armagh's All-Ireland SFC success as 'a privilege' after calling time on his role in the Orchard's backroom team. Five years of making the trek from Kerry have come to an end for Donaghy, who has Advertisement 2 Kieran Donaghy has left Armagh Credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile 2 He bid an emotional farewell to Armagh fans Credit: Dáire Brennan/Sportsfile The Austin Stacks man, nicknamed Star, joined Kieran McGeeney's set-up as selector and forwards coach ahead of the 2021 season. And he played a part in Armagh's crowning as All-Ireland champions for just the second time in their history last summer. A four-time All-Ireland winner as a player, Donaghy said: 'I walk away full of pride, memories and deep gratitude. 'Thank you to Kieran McGeeney, who took a chance on a rookie coach. You said one year, it became five. Only you could pull that off. You said I could help and that you would help me in return. You were a man of your word every step of the way. Advertisement Read More on GAA 'To the backroom team, thank you for pushing me, teaching me and raising the bar. I learned so much just being around ye. 'To the players, what a group. Tough, resilient and relentless. Watching you chase your dream and finally reach the top in 2024 was a privilege. Especially to the older lads, you never stopped believing and you earned every bit of it.' McGeeney is expected to remain the longest-serving manager in inter-county football by guiding Armagh for a 12th season. As for Donaghy, his services are sure to be in demand elsewhere. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Armagh GAA said: 'As Kieran Donaghy steps away from his role with the Armagh senior football team, we want to express our deepest gratitude for the incredible impact he has made over the past five years. 'His belief in this group never wavered and his presence helped shape the identity, resilience and ambition of our team. 'Easiest interview I've ever had' jokes RTE GAA host after pundits go back and forth before Meath vs Donegal 'His energy on the training field, in the dressing room and on game days was inspiring. 'Being part of the team that delivered our second All-Ireland title is a legacy that will live long in our hearts and his influence will be felt for many years to come. Advertisement 'On behalf of the players, management and backroom team, county board and fans — thank you, Kieran, for everything.'
The Irish Sun
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Kieran McGeeney's Armagh GAA backroom staff to undergo major change as big name assistant departs
KIERAN DONAGHY has left Kieran McGeeney's Armagh backroom team. The Kerry icon ended his five-year stint with the Orchard, who he helped to Advertisement 2 Donaghy helped to an unlikely All-Ireland title last year 2 He thanked Kieran McGeeney in his farewell statement Donaghy operated as Armagh's forwards coach and underwent 800km round trips to attend team training from Tralee. Armagh reached their third Ulster SFC final on the spin this summer but They still looked on course to claim back-to-back Sam Maguires when they topped their All-Ireland series group. But Advertisement Read More On GAA It remains to be seen if Armagh will replace the 2006 Footballer of the Year. Former Derry star Conleith Gilligan and ex-Orchard ace Ciarán McKeever are also on McGeeney's backroom. But four-time All-Ireland SFC winner Donaghy will be on the radar as eight counties hunt for new managers ahead of the 2026 campaign. Roscommon, Dublin, Sligo, Mayo, Waterford, Antrim, Cavan and Derry are managerless. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football But Donaghy may be top of Kerry's recruitment list when they reconvene after Reflecting on his time with with the Orchard on 'Easiest interview I've ever had' jokes RTE GAA host after pundits go back and forth before Meath vs Donegal "Thank you to Kieran McGeeney, who took a chance on a rookie coach. You said one year, it became five, only you could pull that off. "You said I could help and that you would help me in return. You were a man of your word every step of the way. Advertisement "To the backroom team, thank you for pushing me, teaching me, and raising the bar. I learned so much just being around ye. To the players, what a group. Tough, resilient, and relentless. "Watching you chase your dream and finally reach the top in 24 was a privilege. Especially to the older lads, you never stopped believing and you earned every bit of it. "Thanks to the Armagh County Board for all their support."
RTÉ News
17-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Kieran Donaghy departs Armagh coaching setup
Kieran Donaghy has left his role in the Armagh coaching set-up after five years with the county. The four-time All-Ireland winner with Kerry confirmed the news on 'X' this evening, saying he left his role with Armagh "full of pride, memories and deep gratitude." Donaghy had joined Kieran McGeeney's management team for the 2021 season, with the intention to remain there for just one campaign. — Kieran Donaghy (@starryboy14) July 16, 2025 However, he became part of the set-up for five years, helping the county break from the pack to win their second All-Ireland title in 2024. Donaghy departs a fortnight after Armagh's title defence ended at the hands of his native Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final. It is anticipated that Kieran McGeeney will seek to remain in charge of Armagh for the 2026 campaign, which will be his 12th season in the role.
