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Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
How Donegal's defence can cope with David Clifford
There was a moment of levity during Jim McGuinness's press conference ahead of the All-Ireland final. The Donegal manager was asked when he knew that Finnbarr Roarty, the fresh-faced teenage defender who has been one of the revelations of this summer, was ready for senior inter-county football. 'I would say about a year ago I thought he might have been good enough, but I was a day out on my calculation!' McGuinness smiled, a reference to how he handed Roarty his senior debut in a McKenna Cup game, despite him still being a minor, which was against GAA rules and resulted in Donegal getting a slap on the wrists. But it did show how long the youngster, a clubmate of the manager in Naomh Conaill, has been on the radar. One of the big questions that surrounded Donegal ahead of this season was how McGuinness would adjust his team's defensive structure and shape to the new rules. While much of how they defend remains based on a system — and how they like to set up zonally just inside the arc — they have adapted it to the new game. Even with 11 v 11, he has trusted his team's shape. Finnbarr Roarty has been one of the revelations of this summer. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie 'That is probably the one thing that has surprised me about Donegal this season,' says Eamon McGee, the All-Ireland-winning corner-back in 2012. 'McGuinness came back last year and loved his defensive shape, and I wondered if he would remain true to that there or is he going more to a hybrid approach where he is getting out and putting the pressure on. 'But he's stayed true to that. I'm surprised that he's able to work it out, and they've been very brave, in fairness to Donegal, how they defended those zones and how they're leaving that third zone, nearly man-free. There's one man keeping an eye on it, but they're getting across so quick. From a defensive perspective, I'm surprised that they're able to manage it as well as they have.' McGuinness has been able to make it work because of the quality of defenders they have, and the speed at which they can move into a zone if they sense danger. Tyrone's decision to go man-on-man against Kerry resulted in David Clifford filling his boots on Padraig Hampsey, scoring 1-9 and probably leaving another couple of goals out on Croke Park. It was clear from early on that Hampsey was left too isolated, especially given how wide open his team were down the central channel where Joe O'Connor had a field day and roughly half of Kerry's 10 goalscoring opportunities originated. That is one area Kerry may find clogged upon Sunday, particularly if Caolan McGonagle returns to centre half-back. David Clifford has been in red-hot form for Kerry. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile And while the Ulster champions are wedded to the zonal system, defenders are still required to win their individual battles. One-on-one defending still matters. Roarty's ability to strip the ball from an opponent — most clearly seen in dispossessing Meath's Keith Curtis in the semi-final to start the move that led to Ciaran Moore's goal — is reminiscent of Karl Lacey in his pomp, as both McGuinness and McGee have pointed out. 'He punches above his weight in many respects and doesn't fear anybody,' McGuinness said of Roarty. 'There's an innocence to that but a courageousness as well. He's a brilliant tackler. I can see him taking the ball off Aidan O'Shea in Roscommon that day, that's not an easy task. Karl Lacey in his pomp. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile 'When he gets you in that grip, a bit like Karl Lacey, he can get the hand in and the hand out. It's clean and it's crisp and it's strong. He's fair. He's been brilliant, the Donegal people love him. They absolutely love him. When he gets a turnover now, I think it's as big a cheer as you're going to get for a point because he is so honest. ' McGee agreed with those sentiments. 'He is so good at sniffing danger and getting to the danger. His ability to rob a man reminds me of Lacey, who was like a boxer with quick hands and able to get the ball without getting the foul on. You watch Finbarr when he gets near the man. How many times we've seen it this summer, where Finbarr's getting the hand in, gets it away. 'He's brought so much to that defensive unit. And remember, Finbarr's coming from an era where he's been brought up in blanket defences, so a lot of those defensive skills were neglected, they weren't coached, it about getting everybody back, and the group, rather than the individual. For him to come out, and in the manner that he has, it's a testament to his club and his coaches and to himself.' Brendan McCole will likely be assigned the most difficult job in Gaelic football and asked to limit the damage that Clifford does in the final. There has been some speculation that Donegal may remain true to their zonal system elsewhere and McCole will be the only one tasked with a specific man-marking role, although the manner in which Ryan McHugh curtailed Rory Grugan's influence in the Ulster final suggests he may be the player to tag Paudie Clifford. Brendan McCole will likely be assigned the most difficult job in Gaelic football. Pic: INPHO/Leah Scholes But all eyes will be on McCole and how he handles Clifford. In his understated way, the Mountcharles native has grown into arguably the most consistent full-back in the country over the past couple of years and his ability to read the game and sense danger are two of his most impressive attributes, both of which he will need in spades on Sunday. His policing of Matthew Costello in the semi-final underlined his ability. 'McCole has been tasked with the danger man in every game, and he keeps an eye on his man while reading the game,' McGee says. 'If you look at the players who are dubbed man-markers most of them aren't able to do that, they are just focused on their direct opponent. But McCole is able to read the game, he's always aware of where his man is and when to stand off. He's hands-on at times, but he doesn't bring any of the sledging or verbals nonsense.' McGuinness has re-designed parts of his defensive shape to fit into the new game, but he still trusts his players in their individual battle. McCole has the hardest job of all on Sunday, but if his teammates sense trouble, their system means they can move at speed to help — and how they try to nullify the Kerry threats is just one of the reasons Sunday's game is so intriguing.
Irish Examiner
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
‘If you're doubting yourself, you shouldn't be in there' – Finnbarr Roarty and the modern boy wonders
Imagine this. Since making his championship debut against Derry last April, Finnbarr Roarty has started every game for Donegal. His point on Sunday brought his tally to 1-3. The boy wonder. Famously, last year Jim McGuinness faced a ban for fielding Roarty in a McKenna Cup game. He was 17 years old at the time and turned 18 a day after they played Armagh. The penalty was later rescinded after it was agreed the issue was 'an administrative error.' Since then, the Naomh Conaill flyer has made the corner-back position his own. At 19, he is the youngest member of the Ulster champions panel. Roarty was terrific against Mayo at King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park, looking like he belonged in a blockbuster championship fixture. 'It is unbelievable, any time you think you're getting the hang of it, they throw a game like this at you,' he said with a smile afterwards. 'Nothing can really prepare you for that. It's a Championship day, taking it all in.' Read More CCCC chief defends Donegal venue selection following criticism from Jim McGuinness Roarty is part of a new breed of bright prospects who have emerged this year. His team-mates Caolan McColgan and Ciarán Moore are both 22. Moore was nominated for 2024 PwC Young Footballer of the Year. Oisín Conaty, now 22, won it. Darragh McMullen (21) has emerged as another half-forward option for the All-Ireland champions. Down goalkeeper Ronan Burns has had a sensational season, having turned 20 the day he took on Donegal in the Ulster semi-final. Galway's Matthew Thompson (20) and Dublin's Theo Clancy (21) both started for their respective counties on Saturday. 20-year-old Conor Duke kicked 0-5 against Kerry as they secured a quarter-final spot. Derry's season is at an end, but the defensive efforts of Eoin McEvoy (21) and Ruairi Forbes (19) last weekend offer hope for the future. 'You have to back yourself,' said Roarty. 'If you're doubting yourself, you shouldn't be in there. If you're on the ball you have to be trusted on it. Everybody. The 15 boys have to be good on the ball.' In the Tailteann Cup, Leaving Cert student Cillian Bourke scored 1-3 in his last three games for Offaly. Longford's Matthew Carey, an U20, scored 0-15 in their final group game against Carlow. As for Donegal, their youthful contingent are all contributing. The last-gasp winner after the hooter came from a booming kickout and a Moore burst. 'That is just the maturity in the group there. He is the second youngest player on that team, he was able to take the score like that, take on his man, take on nearly two men. "A buzzer beater, everybody was running after him. He just took it in his stride.'
Irish Daily Mirror
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Derry still All-Ireland contenders says former All Star - but they must step up
Chrissy McKaigue insists that Derry remain All-Ireland contenders despite the woes of the past year - but says they must now step up. Paddy Tally's side face a season-defining All-Ireland series Group 4 tie with Dublin in Newry on Saturday knowing that a victory will guarantee them a spot in the knockout stages - but they haven't won a game in regulation time since beating Westmeath at the corresponding stage last year. Former Oak Leaf defender McKaigue, who announced his retirement last November, challenges the perception that Derry's showing in 2024 was disastrous, pointing out that they won the McKenna Cup and Allianz League while reaching the All-Ireland quarter-final and that he endured far worse seasons than that over the course of his lengthy innings with the county. He said: 'It was more so we didn't meet expectations. I'm not saying that everyone follows that narrative but it's amazing that narrative was depicted in so many areas and I felt Mickey Harte last year got a lot of scrutiny that was a wee bit over the top at times. 'I still feel that Derry are a contender for Sam Maguire. Maybe not this year in the same capacity as last year but do I feel that Derry squad will have the potential to be a contender for Sam Maguire in the next number of years? I do. 'I still think we're knocking there or thereabouts. I feel that the underage in Derry is really strong and you'll probably be yet to see a couple of the players that I'd be really excited about.' Having lost six and drawn one of their seven League games before losing to Donegal and Armagh in the Championship, Derry had a golden opportunity to get that elusive win over Galway last time out, though they just about scrambled a draw in the end. 'I think even the most ardent Galway supporter would say that they got out of jail with that one,' said McKaigue. 'Even with the nature of the new rules, the leads don't mean as much anymore but certainly for the vast majority of the game Derry played all the football, brought a huge amount of physicality and huge amount of intensity which is probably the first time they brought it this year to that level of consistency. 'But the worrying thing for Derry still is that they played seven games in the National League, Donegal in the Ulster Championship and now two games in the round robin. 'That's 10 games and they still haven't won a game yet. So they'd want to be clearing that one out fairly soon and the hard thing for Derry this year is all their games so far this year have been against Division One teams - that's probably a new thing in itself, so they've had a tough year from that point of view.' Tackling Dublin outside of Croke Park boosts Derry's chances on Saturday, says McKaigue, who feels that the Dubs will be very hard to beat if they get back to GAA headquarters. 'I just think Dublin will have a big say in this year's All-Ireland potentially. I hope they don't because that will mean that Derry will have been turned over. 'They're a different side without Con [O'Callaghan] too. He is their David Clifford, he is their leader, he does so much for them and gives them that composure and that settled feeling. 'I just think if there's one team that can cause you a lot of bother with the new rules in Croke Park, it's Dublin. A couple of their performances this year, like Derry in the League in Croke Park, they were awesome. They were very, very polished against Galway I thought also. 'For large parts of the game against Armagh, let's be honest, they were very impressive, bar the scoreboard. Sometimes we can get caught up in people's different analysis of the game. Armagh were worthy winners but Dublin still have a wee bit to work with.'
Irish Examiner
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Jarlath Burns: All-Ireland finals will not return to August in 2026
GAA president Jarlath Burns has stated the All-Ireland finals will not return to August in 2026. Despite last year floating the idea of the inter-county season returning to a finish in September, Burns ruled out the deciders being played in the eighth month of the year and suggested it will be a matter for his successor. 'It's not a non-runner for the future. This year it's out, next year it's out as well,' he told the GAA+ magazine programme Ratified on which he made the September comments 12 months ago. 'But it's going to be the next president who will make that decision, whether or not we go into August. 'It's probably not going to be my decision, but I would be open to it, notwithstanding the health warning that comes with the whole area of starting the club championship. We were showing so little respect to the club player that there was literally a group set up called the Club Player Association and they had one word, fixtures. 'We solved that for them. Let's not now go and unsolve it. So you fix one problem and you create another problem. But I think that there is generally an understanding that moving into the first and third weeks of August mightn't be the worst thing. 'But you have to remember this also – we have LGFA, they have their All-Ireland finals as well. And we have camogie, they have their All-Ireland finals here too. And we also have to allow for a replay in hurling and football and a replay in LGFA and Camogie. So that takes up a good bit of August. 'And I'm going to say the next thing without any apology – we also have concerts in this. And the Croke Park is now the major funding organ of the GAA. Let's not forget that. This stadium is keeping our organisation financially viable. Because without the €16 million or €18m that is given by Croke Park to the GAA, it costs us €20m every year to pay the 350 coaches we have going around full-time promoting our games.' Admitting he was severely criticised for supporting the GPA's proposal to suspend the pre-season competitions, Burns said the Ulster Council lost €250,000 as a result of the McKenna Cup. 'If there's anything that I got the most severe criticism over, it was supporting the GPA over the ending of the pre-season competitions. In my own province, I went to the Ulster Convention and they were queueing up to criticise me over that. 'That cost about about a quarter of a million dollars to the Ulster Council and I would understand why they'd be cross with me supporting the GPA, but I did it for player welfare. That's what the GAA president has to be always cognisant of." Burns said he was surprised by the negative reaction to the Football Review Committee making changes to their list of rules after the fifth round of the Allianz Football League. He said that entitlement was part of the enabling motion that was passed at Special Congress last November. He added that it will be 10 years before the moves being overseen by the hurling development committee to expand the game in weaker counties will come to fruition.
RTÉ News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Tyrone-Armagh clash invoking cherished memories
The first Ulster football semi-final down for decision this weekend will serve as a reminder of the one of the most intense, if relatively short-lived rivalries in the game. Saturday's clash between Armagh and Tyrone in Clones is the 46th time the sides will cross paths in championship fare, with the Orchard County edging the overall head-to-head with 22 victories to 18 of the Red Hand. It brings together two of the All-Ireland champions from the last four seasons, both sides emerging as unlikely winners from the outset of their respective seasons. Among the general football public, there is a hope that we could return to the heyday of the fixture, when the sides met six times in the championship between 2002 and 2005. Armagh's maiden Sam Maguire in 02 was immediately followed by a s miliar feat by Mickey Harte's men, who would add two more Celtic Crosses. Those wins saw Tyrone down their rivals at the penultimate stage (05) as well as the final itself (03). Add into the mix an Ulster final between the sides at Croke Park that went to a replay and fans were treated to enthralling fare. Speaking on the RTÉ GAA podcast, former Tyrone player Enda McGinley recalled the gripping rivalry "Those were easily the most tense games," he said. "Both teams were at the peak of their powers. I remember the tension in the ground and stands. "The intensity on the pitch was unmatched in my playing career. It was before the era of controlled possession, so looking back on the games now, it seems like kamikaze football. "It was a phenomenal time for both counties." McGinley feels that 2005, with three titanic tussles at Croke Park, was the high-water mark of the rivalry. Supporters just couldn't get enough of it as the biggest names and characters in the game went toe-to-toe, best demonstrated by a McKenna Cup game in January 2006 that drew 20,000 fans through the turnstiles at Casement Park. "That was what 2005 led to. It was crazy times." Numerous players on both sides have referenced the fact both sides brought out the best in each other, with McGinley stating that Armagh's breakthrough was a huge factor in their own success. He sees parallels now, with Tyrone – and indeed a number of teams chasing ultimate glory – seeing Armagh's success last year and wanting that for themselves. "We didn't see Armagh as a better team than us (in 2002)," he says. "We knew they were an excellent team, there was no doubt about that. They had been longer on the road than us and deserved their win in 2002, but we thought, hang on a minute, that should be us. "It impacted out mindset. That first All-Ireland title for Tyrone, that it shouldn't be this otherworldly thing, it should be achievable for us. "Now there is a feeling – not just in Tyrone, but across the board - that because we are now out of that dominant Dublin era, the All-Ireland is there for the taking. Throw in the new rules and it feels like such an open field this year. "This weekend is the first true challenger to step up to Armagh to take a shot, and I think they (Armagh) will relish that."
