Latest news with #KieranDonaghy
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- 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.'
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Kieran Donaghy leaves Armagh role and closes book on successful chapter
Kieran Donaghy's decision to step down after five years as coach with the Armagh footballers closes the book on an interesting chapter in the football relations between Kerry and Ulster. As a player he had been a central figure in that particular rivalry, his goal against – ironically – Armagh in 2006 marking his growing influence at full forward, having been converted from centrefield, in a season capped by All-Ireland success and on a personal level the Footballer of the Year award. Defeat of the then perennial All-Ireland contenders, who had beaten them in the 2002 final, was a significant milestone for the county after further demoralising setbacks at the hands of Tyrone in 2003 and '05. Donaghy's time with Armagh coincided with the county's incremental rise from a reputation for under-achieving to the ultimate achievement last year. Again, there were allegiance issues. Armagh's key victory was the extra-time defeat of his own county in the semi-final. READ MORE Kerry's own coaching staff that day featured former Tyrone trainer and Down manager Paddy Tally, who later left to take up the reins with Derry in a short-lived appointment that ended last week. In June, though the boot was on the other foot, as 15 minutes of Kerry radiance dethroned the champions, ultimately leading to Donaghy's decision to draw a line under the 500-mile commute from Tralee. He leaves with his own county in the All-Ireland final next week, facing Donegal – who as a player, he helped to defeat in a goal-scoring performance in the 2014 final. Kieran Donaghy and Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney worked together for five years, having only initially planned for one. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho Speculation is that Kerry manager Jack O'Connor will not seek another term when his current arrangement expires this year, leaving Donaghy with the prospect of some involvement in the next management. After Armagh had won last year's semi-final, their manager Kieran McGeeney was asked about his forwards coach's conflict of loyalties. 'There's no doubt Kieran Donaghy will go back to Kerry in his day and he'll do a fantastic job there whenever he is asked. Hopefully he has learned a bit. We have definitely learned a lot from him. It was tough in one way but he's a competitor. That's what makes him so great. It's in that Kerry blood.' In a statement on Wednesday, Donaghy announced his departure. 'Five incredible years with Armagh GAA have come to an end, and 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. 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. Kieran Donaghy of Kerry celebrates a goal against Armagh in the 2006 All-Ireland quarter-final. Photograph: Andrew Paton/Inpho 'A huge thanks to the Fegan family and all in Basil Sheils. Mark, Bernice, and all the crew, thanks for giving us a home away from home. The farmhouse will always be a special place to the Donaghys. 'To Hilary, thank you for standing by me through it all as always. Your support made it all possible. Lola Rose, Indie, Ruby May, you were part of every step and loved every journey made to Armagh. 'To my Mom, thank you for always stepping in and holding the fort when needed. And to the people of Armagh, thanks for the warmth, the welcome, and the unwavering support. 'As my Nan always said: 'No ifs. No buts. Only total faith.' Paying tribute to the departing Donaghy, Armagh GAA said in a statement: 'His belief in this group never wavered, and his presence helped shape the identity, resilience and ambition of our team. 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. 'On behalf of the players, management and backroom team, county board and fans – thank you, Kieran, for everything. From your Armagh Family.'
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Armagh pay heartfelt tribute to departing coach Kieran Donaghy
Armagh GAA has paid tribute to departing Orchard county coach Kieran Donaghy for helping to 'shape the identity, resilience and ambition' of the team that claimed All-Ireland SFC glory last year.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Donaghy leaves Armagh set-up after five seasons
Kieran Donaghy has stepped down from his role within the Armagh backroom team. The four-time All-Ireland winner with Kerry was part of Kieran McGeeney's management team for five seasons, helping them win the All-Ireland title in 2024. Armagh GAA expressed their "deepest gratitude" to the Austin Stacks clubman in a statement on Wednesday evening. "His belief in this group never wavered, and his presence helped shape the identity, resilience and ambition of our team," added Armagh. "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." Donaghy said he will walk away "full of pride and memories". "Thank you to Kieran McGeeney, who took a chance on a rookie coach," added Donaghy. "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." His departure comes a fortnight after the Orchard County were beaten by Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-finals which brought an end to their 2025 campaign.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Donaghy leaves Armagh set-up after five seasons
Kieran Donaghy has stepped down from his role within the Armagh backroom team. The four-time All-Ireland winner with Kerry was part of Kieran McGeeney's management team for five seasons, helping them win the All-Ireland title in GAA expressed their "deepest gratitude" to the Austin Stacks clubman in a statement on Wednesday evening. "His belief in this group never wavered, and his presence helped shape the identity, resilience and ambition of our team," added Armagh."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."Donaghy said he will walk away "full of pride and memories"."Thank you to Kieran McGeeney, who took a chance on a rookie coach," added Donaghy."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."His departure comes a fortnight after the Orchard County were beaten by Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-finals which brought an end to their 2025 campaign.
