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The 42
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
The Top Ten moments of the 2025 All-Ireland football championship
THE RULES MAY have been changed, the format soon will be changed and we are still getting used to the new calendar. But the more things change, the more they remain the same as Sam Maguire will be wintering in Kerry. Here, we pick out ten stand-out moments of the 2025 All-Ireland football championship. 1. The Importance of Being Idle (sort of) By now, you'll have seen the clip from a fan's phone where Kerry are running down the clock before half-time. Eamonn Maguire trained his phone on David Clifford who was being closely marked by Donegal's Brendan McCole as he drifted towards the Hogan Stand side. At times, Clifford had his hands on his hips and looked vaguely disinterested. When the time was right, he threw in a dummy run, got across McCole's body and accepted the hand pass from his brother Paudie to kick from the 45 metre line. It put Kerry seven up at the break. It was, simply, The Moment. 2. Louth and Proud It had been a long, long time since Croke Park was sold out for a Leinster final. Some years, it would almost have been questionable if Croke Park was even suitable for these deciders. Not this year. With Louth and Meath through to the decider, interest in the game was as high as could be. In other sell-out games, usually the fan passion can be somewhat diluted. This hit different, as Louth took home their first provincial title since 1957. Advertisement Louth players Ciaran Byrne, Conor Grimes and daughter Izzy and Ryan Burns celebrate Leinster success. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO 3. An Empire Crumbles What really made that competition, of course, was the fact that Dublin were not there. Meath's victory over the Dubs in Portaloise was another huge moment in the course of the season and created an unbelievable resurgence in interest among the Meath GAA population. That day in Portlaoise was crowned by a sprinkling of two-pointers and the bravery of Eoghan Freyne with his two two-pointers and eleven points in total. Not to be outdone, full-back Sean Rafferty put in enormous hits all year that were highlight reel-worthy. 4. No Quit In Ciaran Moore For a few glorious seconds, Mayo thought they had cracked it. That disastrous opening round of the group stages had brought defeat to unfancied Cavan. They then went to Omagh and beat Tyrone and had Donegal in the final round in the neutral venue of Roscommon. As the game went down the stretch they had their chance of a goal, but when Fergal Boland put them level at 0-18 each, they looked set to go into the preliminary quarter-finals on three points. Some of the Donegal bench were roaring at goalkeeper Shaun Patton to kick the ball out as the hooter approached, but instead he launched it downfield. It ended up in the hands of the indefatigable Ciaran Moore. Ciaran Moore kicks the winner against Mayo. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO He advanced, kicked the winner and knocked Mayo out. It was some year for Moore, who also kicked the goal late on against Armagh in the Ulster final. 5. Kerry Bring The Noise There was something undeniable about Kerry this summer; they played like underdogs and they acted like them too. From David Clifford issuing a call to arms to the Kerry support to get up to Croke Park and cheer them on against Armagh – mindful of how he felt the support influenced their semi-final loss the year before – to the way he would pump his arms and let out some emotion when he and others scored. The most notable element though, was Jack O'Connor having a cut at his critics in the wake of their win over Tyrone on 12 July. After the All-Ireland was secured, he assured reporters that none of it was fake, all of it was authentic. Those present that night knew it already. 6. Mayo Defiance In Omagh When you look at where they were that evening, nothing felt in their favour. Mayo had lost the opening group stage game to Cavan. That week, their manager Kevin McStay took ill during a training session and would not appear on the line for Mayo before his unceremonious sacking by the county board. Paddy Durcan greets fans in Omagh. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO But they landed in Omagh with something to prove and in broiling heat, Paddy Durcan had a game for the ages as they downed the Red Hands. 7. Ballybofey Rocked After an extra-time Ulster final win, Donegal looked infallible as they prepared for a homecoming of sorts with their group stage opener against Tyrone. Malachy O'Rourke has a better record as manager against Jim McGuinness than anyone else. They attacked Donegal and Seanie O'Donnell helped himself to two goals. The game was still in the mix when Pete Teague and Michael Murphy had a fascinating game within the game under the kickouts. Up popped Peter Harte at the end with a spectacular two-pointer to seal the win. 8. And for Seconds… He had already gotten off the mark in the All-Ireland with his first touch of the ball, a routine (for him) two-pointer. But David Clifford's second score of the All-Ireland final was stupendous. Running away from goal, on the wrong side of the pitch for a left foot shot, having to contort himself and still get enough power, while doing it all in the blink of an eye. It was supreme athleticism. 9. Cork take Kerry down the stretch Back in April when the rain was coming down hard, nobody was sure who would end up lifting Sam Maguire. Many leaving Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the middle of that month would have cast doubts on Kerry's capabilities. Related Reads In pics: Kerry footballers and fans rejoice at All-Ireland homecoming Where to now for Donegal after a final where they were thoroughly outplayed and outthought? A day of days for Kerry as they complete the Ulster clean sweep Chris Óg Jones goals against Kerry. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO On Easter Saturday, Cork set about their own Easter Rising as they tore into Kerry after allowing them to slip into a seven point lead. Chris Óg Jones' goal put the home support on red alert and Ruairi Deane put them into the lead that they would surrender. In the end it took a Joe O'Connor goal in extra-time to finally shake off the pesky Rebels. 10. Down Comeback Another game that feels like another world away, but notable all the same for illustrating early on in the championship, just how much of a role momentum and two-pointers would come into play, along with the new rules around the kickout. With eight minutes remaining, Fermanagh led by seven points. Daniel Guinness then hit a superb two-pointer and followed it with a goal. All that was left was Ryan McEvoy to dance through and hit a final goal and secure the win for Conor Laverty's men. Jeopardy had arrived. Ryan McEvoy wheels away after completing the Down comeback. Lorcan Doherty / INPHO Lorcan Doherty / INPHO / INPHO Check out the latest episode of The42′s GAA Weekly podcast here
Irish Independent
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Time is right for Louth Ladies to step up says Ceire Nolan
There's a belief within the Louth squad that they are better than the Junior Championship status they play.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Hugely popular Jean Lambe was a devoted family woman with a big passion for sport
She and her late husband Kevin lived all their lives at Killineer Cottages half way up Tullyesker Hill and reared a family of 11 children. A large crowd attended her funeral and tributes were paid to the wonderful decent life she lived and the kind, devoted mother she was. Jean was a member of the Walsh family from Townrath. She was one of five siblings and she has one surviving sister Judy, 88, who lives a few doors down from her. She worked as a seamstress in the Greenmount and Boyne factory, Greenhills from 1946 to 1955 and one of her main jobs was to hem and box the sheets for the American market, a task she was very proud of. She met her husband Kevin at a dance in Collon and two of them used to cycle to and from the dancehall on their bikes. They were happily married for over 55 years until Kevin passed away in 2011 at 88 years of age. He worked all his life on Donegan's Farm in Monasterboice for former Government minister the late Paddy Donegan TD and would also regularly chauffeur him to various events around the county. Jean gave up work when her first child Pauline was born and loved being at home cooking and minding the children. All her kids were sent to the old Ballymakenny Cross Primary School which is now closed and would walk three miles across the fields to and from school every day. Two of her neighbours in Killineer Cottages also had big families with 15 and 13 children respectively. The three families between them filled up the school. ADVERTISEMENT Apart from caring for her children Jean's great passion in life was sport. She was a devout Manchester United fan and never missed a United game on the telly. She also had a huge interest in her local Gaelic football club the Naoimh Martin and was over the moon when they won the Louth senior football championship for the first time a few years ago. She was a big supporter of Louth as well and often went to matches. Her other great passion in sport was snooker and she loved watching it on the telly and the late great Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins was her favourite snooker player. Jean loved socialising and would go out every weekend to catch up with friends and neighbours. Donegans in Monasterboice was her favourite place to go. She is predeceased by her husband Kevin and son Paddy and survived by her children Pauline, Michael, Rosemary, Kevin, Aidan, Brendan, Raymond, Eddie, Sinead, and Fergus. Her funeral mass was held in the Church of The Immaculate Conception, Tenure and burial afterwards in Monasterboice cemetery.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘Masterful' Drogheda & District athletes celebrate two golds on the National stage
After months of dedicated training, the team's hard work was rewarded with two gold, five silver and three bronze medals – a remarkable tally for the club. Leading the way were Gerry O'Connor, who won the M60 400m in 1:01.82, and Mary Flanagan, who struck gold in the W65 100m, clocking 20.93sec. The silver medal winners were as follows: Yasmin Canning W50 800m, 2:44.24; Mary Kinsella W60 200m, 32.91sec & 400m, 1:17.28; Deirdre McFerran W65 200m, 34.04sec; Mary Leech W50 1500m, 5:04.51. Bronze medals went to M60 athlete Tony Corcoran (13.93sec in the 100m and 28.41sec for 200m) and Robbie Keane who completed the M45 1500m in 4:27.00. There were also season's best performances. Paul Stuart (M40) ran 1:00.06 in the 400m, Niall Donnelly (M50) posted 2:16.15 in the 800m and Kerry O'Connor (W50) earned a new outdoor PB of 3:16.16 in the same event. And at the National Outdoor League Final in Tullamore, Sophie Kinsella and Yasmin Canning collected National bronze medals as part of the Louth county ladies team. Sophie has had an incredible seaon in the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles and club stalwart Yasmin Canning had a great 1500m. Closer to home, D&D members turned out in force for the Indaver Duleek 10K on Sunday, over a tough but rewarding course. Organised by Duleek & District AC, the race had 208 finishers and took place in near-perfect running conditions. Brian Martin and Colin Dyas led the charge for Drogheda & District, working together to secure the men's team prize. Martin crossed the line in a swift 33:46, taking first place in his category, closely followed by Dyas in 34:03. Shane Larkin added to the accolades with a strong O50 category win in 38:52. Stephen Duggan put in a solid run, clocking 39:15, while Joe Carroll had cause for celebration after earning a well-deserved PB of 45:20. Ciara O'Reilly and Pamela Howard ran together to finish in 46:34, contributing to the second-place women's team. O'Reilly took second in her category, with Howard third. Linda Bowe completed the team effort in 59:14. Other finishers included Kevin Durkin (49:06), Karl Cooney (49:39), Liam Farrell (51:28), Mike Staunton (54:34), and Robert Quaile (1:03:42), while Barney Flannery took second in his category with a time of 55:54.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Captain fantastic Amy McTeggart inspirational as Louth women scoop National team medal
The Boyne AC athlete flew in from Manchester late on Friday night and made her way straight to Tullamore to line out for Louth in the National Outdoor League Final on Sunday. Then, just hours after finishing her events, she was en route back to the airport to catch a flight to Manchester, where she would be back at work in a hospital early on Monday morning. Despite the whirlwind schedule, McTeggart produced a brilliant performance. She claimed gold in the javelin with an unbeatable throw of 32.69m and secured silver in the high jump, contributing vital points that helped Louth to a strong third-place finish in a fiercely competitive National final. As captain of the Louth women's team, McTeggart once again led from the front. A product of Boyne AC, she has long been known for her commitment to athletics and her unwavering loyalty to club and county. Over the years, she has also successfully represented Ireland on the international stage, earning her place among the country's most reliable and versatile athletes. Now living in Manchester, McTeggart juggles her athletics career with a demanding full-time role as a hospital dietitian. Her weekends are often packed with travel, training and competition, yet she continues to make herself available for her county when it counts most.
