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RTÉ News
26-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Donegal v Kerry: Routes to the All-Ireland football final
Donegal and Kerry face off in tomorrow's All-Ireland football final at the end of the first season under the new rules, which have changed Gaelic football. The brainchild of Jim Gavin's Football Review Committee have undoubtedly had a positive impact, if you're a fan of high scores and unpredictable outcomes. Defenders and goalkeepers who struggle with their kick-outs may disagree. With the modern GAA the only constant is change, and as we get used to new rules we are saying goodbye to another football championship structure - the All-Ireland group stage making way for a new system in 2026. Jim McGuinness may say good riddance, seeing as his team will tomorrow become the first to play 11 Championship matches in one campaign. The combination of a preliminary round game in Ulster (why the provincial champions play an additional game, go figure), losing to Tyrone and going down the preliminary quarter-final route meant that Donegal have played more games than any other side, without a single replay needed. Kerry, by dint of being the kingpins of six-county Munster, have had a more direct route. Even if their loss to Meath meant they also had to play a preliminary quarter-final. Donegal Donegal 1-25 Derry 1-15 After a cagey start Donegal began to assert themselves and before the break Ciaran Thompson won a kick-out and Dáire O Baoill strode forward to find the net and a flattering seven-point lead at half-time. Ahead by 1-23 to 1-12 deep into the last quarter it was just a matter of matching Derry scores and Donegal were able to bring in Jason McGee, Jamie Brennan and Oisin Gallen, the latter also getting on the scoreboard. Donegal 0-23 Monaghan 0-21 The much-fancied Donegal side were pushed right to the final hooter in Clones but ran out two-point winners, securing the 0-23 to 0-21 victory against the in-form Farney outfit. Donegal led by six points at the break, however, Monaghan fought hard to the death and were disappointed that the hooter brought an end to their comeback, as they had brought the tie to just one kick of the football by the end of the contest. Donegal 1-19 Down 0-16 It was a six-point win in the end and while Down had their chances, the sense was that Donegal always had the measure of the Mourne side. A first-half goal proved decisive, with Donegal pulling away after that and Down just unable to catch up. Donegal held the ball up for long spells in the second half, with their opponents chasing scores. Donegal 2-23 Armagh 0-28 Armagh had not held the lead at any point in normal time of the Ulster final, but Jarly Óg Burns edged them ahead in extra-time, and they held on to the advantage until after the hooter had sounded, when Niall O'Donnell brought the sides level again. But crucially Donegal were able to plunder the Orchard for a second goal on 83 minutes, Ciaran Moore accepting Michael Langan's assist to smash his shot past Rafferty. Rafferty levelled again with a two-point free, but Niall O'Donnell had the last say, Langan again the provider for his glorious 88th minute winner. Tyrone claimed the scalp of Donegal in a very entertaining All-Ireland series game in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey. Two first-half goals proved very important to the win as the visitors led by two at the break. Michael Langan and Michael Murphy got Donegal back level and then ahead in the second half with a two-pointer from Patrick McBrearty. But Tyrone finished the game stronger with Peter Harte delivering an orange flag which eventually clinched the win. Records indicate that Donegal's 3-26 was the highest score Cavan have ever conceded in championship football. Donegal's second-half performance was exceptional, with Cavan looking out on their feet for the final 20 minutes as the Ulster champions moved through the gears. Donegal 0-19 Mayo 1-15 This contest between Donegal and Mayo at King and Moffatt Dr Hyde Park was the last ever round-robin game in the All-Ireland SFC, following the springtime decision to do away with the group structure. Donegal were much more dominant than an interval score of 0-09 to 0-06 suggested. The finale was pure Hollywood. Fergal Boland sending over a majestic equaliser on 69:50 that seemed to save Mayo's season, followed by a Ciarán Moore score after the hooter that meant Cavan would take the Connacht county's place in the preliminary quarter-final draw. Donegal 2-22 Louth 0-12 The Wee County put it up to Donegal in the opening half, but a second goal from Ciaran Thompson on 49 minutes put the home side on their way. Thompson, playing in his 50th championship game for the county, took a crossfield pass from Oisin Gallen to find the corner of the net. From there the Louth challenge faded and the home side were able to keep the scoreboard ticking, finishing with 12 different scorers. Donegal 1-26 Monaghan 1-20 Donegal, playing their ninth game in the championship and their fourth in June alone, had goal chances that they wasted in the first 25 minutes or so. However, the energy and intensity of the second-half recovery, when they outscored Monaghan by 1-15 to 0-05, scoring 0-11 without response at one stage, underlined just why they are All-Ireland finalists. Michael Langan came alive with a huge second-half performance, scoring 1-03 in that period, while Shane O'Donnell kicked three important points and was named man of the match. Donegal 3-26 Meath 0-15 Donegal's five-point half-time lead looked ominous and the goals from Gallen and Moore before the 50th minute killed the contest entirely, the game petering out from there as the Ulster champions ran up the score. The 20-point margin at the finish was the largest in over three decades, equalling Cork's 5-15 to 0-10 win over Mayo in 1993. Kerry Cork 1-25 Kerry 3-21 A stunning goal from midfielder Joe O'Connor in extra-time saw Kerry squeeze through to the Munster final with a two-point win over rivals Cork. With five minutes remaining Kerry midfielder O'Connor stunned the Páirc with a rocket of a shot smashing into the roof of the net to edge Kerry back ahead by two with three minutes to play after an uncomfortable afternoon in Cork city. Kerry 4-20 Clare 0-21 It was Kerry's Jack O'Connor who triumphed over his predecessor Peter Keane, David Clifford starring with 2-05 as the Kingdom won their fifth Munster title on the trot thanks to an 11-point win over Clare. In what was the Kingdom's third provincial final win against the Banner in as many years, it was the hosts who eased into a comfortable 15-point lead – 4-10 to 0-07 at half-time, before the visitors narrowed the deficit to 11 by the close of business. Kerry 3-18 Roscommon 0-17 Kerry got their All-Ireland group stage off to a flying start with a convincing 10-point win as David Clifford starred for the Kingdom with 1-03. After what was, in truth, a lacklustre, pedestrian-like opening half, the Kingdom completely upped the tempo, and boosted by the introduction of playmaker Tony Brosnan, and Graham O'Sullivan in the 49th minute, Jack O'Connor's men scored 2-03 without response in the space of six minutes to open up a 13-point lead heading into the final 15 minutes. Cork 0-20 Kerry 1-28 Cork led 0-13 to 1-07 at the interval, and then got wiped out by a Kerry drive that saw Jack O'Connor's players hit three two-pointers during a 0-08 run in nine minutes. The Rebels did manage to force a few goalmouth scrambles late on, but at that stage Kerry were holding a commanding nine-point cushion. Meath 1-22 Kerry 0-16 Kerry kicked two early wides before Meath goalkeeper Billy Hogan converted a '45' and that seemed to set the tone: Kerry scraggly and loose, Meath crisp and on point. The Royals fully deserved 0-14 to 0-08 half-time lead. By the 50th minute Kerry were within two points, 0-16 to 0-14, but not exactly pulling up trees, while Meath never flinched as Kerry breathed down their necks. When Bryan Menton raised the game's only green flag Meath were ahead by 10 points with 13 minutes left to play. Kerry 3-20 Cavan 1-17 David Clifford's hat-trick of goals eased Kerry to victory, and on the surface things were going in the right direction in the Kingdom. But there were as many goal chances squandered – Clifford as culpable as anyone – and there was a spell in the second half when Cavan cut a 12-point deficit to six in with three shots. It was as close as Kerry came to a scare, but Clifford's third goal made it 3-16 to 1-15 on the hour mark and the home side saw it out from there. Kerry 0-32 Armagh 1-21 Kerry reignited their summer with a spectacular second-half display to dethrone All-Ireland champions Armagh at the quarter-final stage. A blistering 15-minute spell in which Kerry scored 0-14 without reply and laid waste to the Armagh kick-out provided the platform for a famous victory, avenging last year's painful semi-final loss. Kerry powered their way into an All-Ireland SFC decider thanks to a dominant second-half display, Tyrone's challenge fizzling out badly after a bright opening. David Clifford racked up 1-09 but the game's most influential figure was undoubtedly Joe O'Connor, who delivered an extraordinary, all-action display both defensively and in attack. Only leading by three at half-time having played with the wind, Jack O'Connor's side kicked for home in a dominant second-half display, racking up 0-09 without reply to kill the game and book their place in a third All-Ireland final in four years.
The 42
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
'I knew I had to try and get on the ball' - Donegal matchwinner Niall O'Donnell
THE CLOCK HAD just ticked past the 17-minute mark of extra time of the Ulster final when Shane O'Donnell laid the ball off to his brother, Niall O'Donnell. The game going to extra-time gave Niall O'Donnell something to work with and he was sent on for Jamie Brennan to start the 'new game' of extra-time. He took the pass and his solo was high. It tempted Armagh's Jason Duffy in to tackle but O'Donnell's sharp turn goalwards beat him. Shane McPartlan also took a step the wrong way and opened up a space inside the two-point arc. O'Donnell then laid off to Michael Langan and then looped into space, took the return pass and threaded the ball over the bar with his left boot. And that was the kick that won the Ulster title for Donegal. Advertisement Afterwards, O'Donnell stated that his own mind was whirring as the five allotted subs were used in normal time. 'Not all games go to extra time but I knew as soon as it went to extra time that I had to get myself right,' said the St Eunan's man. 'I knew I was going to have a part, so straight away when I went to extra time, I knew I was going to play then. It was easier for me knowing I was going to be playing, so I just had to get my head right. Because you know in normal time you're thinking how are you going to get on? Are you not going to get on and they're going to call you? 'I'm just glad that I got a chance thankfully. I know I've been training well, so I'm just happy that I got to show that out on the pitch.' With Armagh getting the equaliser through Oisín Conaty in the closing moments of normal time, they looked as if they might have more in the tank for the two additional periods of ten minutes. And yet, Donegal found a way. 'When I came on to the pitch there was me and Shane and Ciaran Moore and Conor O'Donnell, and these boys could run all day. I was obviously that bit fresher maybe than someone else, so I knew I had to try and get on the ball,' said O'Donnell. 'But for me coming on there was more pockets than what there was in normal time to be honest. If you got past your man, it was very hard for them to catch you because they were cramping as well. But I'm just happy that I had a couple of good week's training behind me and I got to showcase it in extra time.' He added, 'I felt that was fresh so I probably felt that was the best man to hit them kicks to be honest, especially when you're so fresh if you know what I mean. Otherwise, I was swinging a lazy leg at it maybe, so I just felt that I wanted to take that on. 'I felt like I wanted to get on the ball, I wanted to make things work and I just happened to get in the right positions. My first shot in extra time was wide with my left foot.' In a match of a million moments, O'Donnell's last shot was the most decisive of the entire game. ** Check out the latest episode of The42′s GAA Weekly podcast here
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I had to make it count' – Niall O'Donnell the unlikely hero as Donegal edged Armagh in Ulster SFC epic final
DONEGAL hero Niall O'Donnell seized the day when Saturday's Ulster final went to extra-time. The St. Eunan's hitman was resigned to staying on the bench when they surged into a seven-point lead in a Advertisement 2 Donegal claimed a second-straight Ulster SFC title after a win over Armagh 2 Niall O'Donnell scored the winning points in the game as penalties loomed large But an Orchard revival saw Kieran McGeeney's men win a gripping final 20 minutes 0-8 to 0-1 Oisín Conaty's sixth point from play squared the game at the death to force overtime - and O'Donnell was braced for action when he replaced Jamie Brennan. His first score levelled things at the interval to set up a frantic finish, as Ciaran Moore's goal was wiped out by Etan Rafferty's two-point free. Penalties loomed large for the third year in a row, but O'Donnell stepped up with an Advertisement READ MORE ON GAA He said: 'It's unbelievable because when you're not used in the five subs, you don't think you're going to get your chance. Typically, that's it. 'Not all games go to extra time but I knew as soon as it went to extra time that I had to get myself right. I knew I was going to have a part, so straight away when I went to extra time I knew I was going to play then. 'It was easier for me knowing I was going to be playing, so I just had to get my head right because you know in normal time you're thinking 'how are you going to get on? Are you not going to get on and are they going to call you?' 'Obviously they didn't, and then it went to extra time. But I'm just glad that I got a chance, thankfully. I know I've been training well, so I'm just happy that I got to show that out on the pitch. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football 'Every team in Ulster is mad for an Ulster medal. Obviously Armagh got their All-Irelland and I'm sure they wanted an Ulster medal. "But obviously we're delighted that we got our second two, in a row. They had their reasons to win it, we had our reasons to win it and thankfully we won it.' Gardai investigating as GAA fans engage in brawl in shop But O'Donnell had some old ghosts to banish too. He was thrown into the fray during extra-time in the 2022 Ulster final against Derry, but had no impact in a 1-16 to 1-14 loss. He missed his first shot at goal in Saturday's epic, but backed himself to produce the goods as his slick exchange with Michael Langan won the game. Advertisement He said: 'I played in extra-time against Derry in 2022 and I had little to no impact in the game. "That was my first time playing extra time and I saw how quick it goes by, that 10 minutes, do you know what I mean? A point or two can swing it. 'So I felt that I was fresh, I had a lot of momentum in me. I wanted to get that out in the field and I didn't want to have any regrets when I came in. 'It was a very similar scenario, it was a very hot day back then as well, so I suppose my mindset was it's extra time and I felt I wanted to get the best out of myself. Advertisement 'So in that extra time I had no shots or nothing. so I felt this time 'I need to get on the ball, I need to make things work,' and thankfully it helped. 'I felt that I was fresh so I probably felt that was the best man to hit those kicks to be honest. Otherwise I was swinging a lazy leg at it maybe, so I just felt that I wanted to take that on. 'I felt like I wanted to get on the ball, I wanted to make things work and I just happened to get in the right positions. 'As a team we always have confidence, but when you can back that up in the biggest days in Ulster it's amazing, so we'll see what lies ahead.' Advertisement
Irish Examiner
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Michael Murphy makes his mark on wild Ulster ride
Ulster SFC final: Donegal: 2-23 Armagh: 0-28 This hectic rivalry keeps on giving. Until the final hooter, Donegal and Armagh gave it their absolute all. After a thrilling contest and extra-time, green and gold flooded the field and let loose. A wild ride was briefly derailed by a post-match scuffle between both teams. Players had to be separated. An investigation is inevitably coming down the tracks. The fixture didn't need that sort of unpleasantness because the glorious Gaelic football gave enough. Niall O'Donnell had already delivered the winner in front of an enthralled 27,788 crowd. All-Ireland champions Armagh had given an admirable showing but ended the evening sitting on a wall behind the Gerry Arthurs Stand, munching down much-deserved fuel and licking their wounds. They refused to yield despite blow after blow. Ryan McHugh man-marked Rory Grugan, successfully disrupting their primary creator. The margin was seven points at one point in the first half and three at the turnaround. Hugh McFadden's swing at a dropped ball resulted in a devastating goal yet they managed to craft two chances of their own back-to-back. Darragh McMullan and Ben Crealey both flashed wide. Meanwhile, Michael Murphy was making his mark. His return is now officially an undeniable success. The 35-year-old was targeted with three long balls early on. He was fouled for a scorable free for the first. He slotted the second. He broke the third for an Oisin Gallen point. Murphy added a second point after the break and finished with two assists. Afterwards, young fans from across the country waited outside the dressing room in search of their hero. Down the hall, Jim McGuinness was hailing the influence of his target man. 'Just a great ball by Finbar in the diagonal,' he said of Murphy's first catch. 'There's not many of them in the game at the minute, which is weird because of the mark. But yeah, great ball, mighty catch. But just everything with Michael that he brings to the table and in the meetings and in the prep. And obviously a cool head at half-time and just his quality on the ball as well.' With deep inhales of the peculiar fumes that swirl around Clones on Ulster final day, both outfits emptied themselves. Gallen was a wonder in the first half until Paddy Burns moved across to take him on. Ciaran Thompson kicked two crucial two-pointers. Ciaran Moore came off and back on to land a vital goal in injury time. And Armagh matched so much of it. They never led in normal time but kept chasing and hit the front through Jarly Óg Burns at the start of the additional period. Oisín Conaty was sensational throughout. Stefan Campbell managed to maintain his streak of awesome impacts from the bench with a three-point contribution. 'We had some outstanding players,' said McGeeney. 'Like Oisín was exceptional, six points from play. He was probably the best player on the pitch by a mile there.' Even after Moore's late green flag, Armagh drew level with a two-point free from the excellent Ethan Rafferty. Several Donegal substitutes had tried to impact the match. Several had failed. It fell to Niall O'Donnell to deliver. With his first shot on his left, he missed. The St Eunan's man was thinking about the extra time defeat he suffered against Derry in 2022. It took place in the same ground. Derry won by two. He came on and was stunned at how quickly time slipped away. He wasn't going to let it happen again. Just before the end of the first ten-minute period, he curled over a right-footed beauty and let out a guttural roar. With two minutes left, he had a chance on his left. Two steps, no play, clutch. Scorers for Donegal: O. Gallen, C. Thompson (2 tp) 0-4 each; C. Moore 1-1; H. McFadden 1-0; M. Murphy, P. McBrearty (frees) 0-3 each; M. Langan, N. O'Donnell 0-2 each; P. Mogan, D. Ó Baoill, J. McGee, C. O'Donnell 0-1 each. Scorers for Armagh: O. O'Neill 0-7 (1 tp, 1 tpf); O. Conaty 0-6; R. McQuillan, S. Campbell E. Rafferty (45, tpf) 0-3 each; J. Duffy 0-2; C. O'Neill, A. Murnin, B. Crealey, J. Og Burns 0-1 each. DONEGAL: S. Patton; F. Roarty, B. McCole, P. Mogan; R. McHugh, C. McGonagle, C. Moore; M. Langan, H. McFadden; D. Ó Baoill, C. Thompson, S. O'Donnell; P. McBrearty, M. Murphy, O. Gallen. Subs: C. O'Donnell for McBrearty (43), J. McGee for McFadden (50), J. Brennan for Ó Baoill (52), E. McHugh for Moore (55), A. Doherty for Gallen (64). O. McFadden Ferry for McGee, N. O'Donnell for Brennan, C. Moore for Doherty (all 70), P. McBrearty for Murphy (76), D. Ó Baoill for McHugh (79), S. McMenamin for McCole (84) ARMAGH: E. Rafferty; P. Burns, A. Forker, B. McCambridge; R. McQuillan, G. McCabe, J. Óg Burns; C. O'Neill, B. Crealey; D. McMullan, R. Grugan, T. Kelly; O. Conaty, A. Murnin, O. O'Neill. Subs: C. Turbitt for Kelly (41), S. Campbell for O'Neill (49), P. McGrane for McCabe (55), J. Duffy for O'Neill (60), N. Grimley for Forker (60-Inj); C. Mackin for Murnin (70), J. Hall for McQuillan (77-79, Temp), C. McConville for Conaty (79), S. McPartlan for Grugan (83), T. McCormack for McQuillan (88). Referee: B. Cawley (Kildare).
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."
