Latest news with #UlsterSeniorFootballChampionship
RTÉ News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ulster final like 'Christmas week' for Clones
More than 30,000 people will be in Clones, Co Monaghan to see Donegal and Armagh face off in both the men's and women's Ulster Senior Football Championship finals tomorrow. St Tiernach's Park will be at its 29,000 capacity, with an additional 6,000 people expected to be elsewhere in the town for the matches. The border town has a population of just 1,885, according to the 2022 Census. "I still don't know how it works, but it's worked for 80 years so we're doing something right," said Patrick McCarville,owner of the Creighton Hotel. The family-run hotel is located at the bottom of Fermanagh Street, a one-way street that on match days is pedestrianised to allow fans safely make their way from the Diamond to the stadium. "There's a natural amphitheatre with the large buildings on both sides of the street and I think that creates the atmosphere. St Tiernach's Park is also like a natural amphitheatre and the atmosphere up there is like no other," he said. "There's nothing like Ulster Final day in Clones. If you could bottle the atmosphere that the town creates." A 2024 study commissioned by the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association found that last year's Ulster Final generated €1.5 million for Clones, with a significant benefit rippling out to surrounding towns and villages in Co Monaghan, as well as other counties that supporters would pass through. "If you take Donegal fans, Fermanagh gets a serious boost. All the towns - Enniskillen, Lisnaskea, Newtownbutler. People know their way to Clones and they know their way out of Clones, they know the stops they'll make," Mr McCarville said. Businesses in the town rely on income generated from the championship matches to invest back into their operations and improve their offerings for the rest of the year. "As someone once said to me, the rates collector came around twice a year. Once after Christmas and once after the Ulster Final," said Bernard McNally, who runs the local SuperValu. The pubs and chip shops were the biggest winners from the increased footfall, he said. Clones GAA club provides the majority of volunteers for the final and other inter-county matches that are held in the town. The preparation for the final started with the first round of the Ulster Championship, said former club chairman Colin McCaughey. "It's a massive weekend for the club," he said. "A lot of people are involved. We've a lot of volunteers. We have the shops, we have the stewards, people making sandwiches and tea for the referees." Club members from underage players to the committee all row behind the effort, he said. Approximately €2.5m has been invested in the stadium in previous two to three years, Mr McCaughey said, with more planned. "We have new seating put in, that's on top of the new seats we put in the Gerry Arthur stand in the last couple of years and also other general upgrades in terms of the control room, ICT and PA systems," he said. "Croke Park and Ulster GAA have invested heavily in the latter years along with Monaghan County Board and we're looking forward to more investment to keep the upgrades and keep Clones in the picture for the Ulster Final." Clones is considered by many in the town and province as the home of Ulster football. Finals had been held in Casement Park in Belfast on occasion up until 1971, while the Athletics Ground in Armagh hosted a behind-closed-doors final in 2020. The Anglo Celt Cup was also presented in Croke Park a number of times, most recently in 2021 because of Covid-19 restrictions on crowd gatherings. There had been speculation that the fixture would return to GAA Headquarters for this year before Clones was confirmed as the host venue. Works to redevelop Casement Park caused concern in Clones that it could lose out as a result. Planning approval was granted 2021 for the works, with Ulster GAA earmarking Casement Park as a future provincial ground, which it said could host finals. However the stadium plan has been stranded amidst rising costs and questions over who will pay for it. The town, county and province would all lose out if Clones was to lose the Ulster Final, said Mr McNally. As a businessman, he welcomes the prospect of competition to retain it. "We'll put our best foot forward. I think Clones has a very good case to keep it here," he said.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What channel is Armagh vs Donegal on? Live stream and TV, betting odds and all you need to know ahead of Ulster SFC final
For the second year running, Armagh and Donegal clash in the final of the Ulster Senior Football Championship. Donegal are the defending champions after beating Armagh on penalties last season with Shaun Patton making the title-winning save from Shane McPartlan. The Orchard County regrouped and finished the season with the biggest prize of all and are the reigning All-Ireland senior champions. READ MORE: Armagh vs Donegal: Ticket information for 2025 Ulster SFC Final showdown in Clones READ MORE: Mayo vs Galway LIVE score updates from Connacht senior football final Armagh haven't lifted the Anglo-Celt Cup since 2008 and were also beaten by Derry on penalties in 2023. They'll not need any extra incentive to try to defeat Donegal, but the All-Ireland SFC draw, arguably, gives the losers of the final a tougher run of games in the group stage. The winners join Mayo, Tyrone and Cavan in Group One while the losers go into Group Four with Galway, Dublin and Derry in the so-called 'Group of Death'. This year's Ulster SFC final will be played as part of a double-header with the Ulster Ladies final, which also features Armagh and Donegal. Here's all the information you need to know ahead of this weekend's Ulster SFC final. . . Armagh vs Donegal is on Saturday, May 10 at St Tiernach's Park, Clones. Saturday's game starts at 5.25pm while the Ladies final throws in at 3pm. Saturday' game is being broadcast live on RTÉ2 and on BBC2 NI. Belfast Live Sport will be live blogging all the action from the Ulster final. Armagh 11/10 Draw 8/1 Donegal 10/11 Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
BreakingNews.ie
25-04-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
GAA Preview: Ulster semi-finals take centre stage in football
The Ulster semi-finals are down for decision this weekend as Armagh and Tyrone renew their rivalry at Clones. All-Ireland champions Armagh got their championship campaign underway against Antrim, while Tyrone were made to work for victory over Cavan in the quarter-finals. Advertisement The winners will face either Donegal or Down, who meet in Clones on Sunday. Donegal were able to hold on for victory against Monaghan last Sunday, while Down had to come from behind to overcome Fermanagh last weekend. In Leinster, there is plenty to play for in the semi-finals, as Dublin face rivals Meath, while Louth take on Kildare. Dublin have dominated Leinster since 2011, with Meath the last team to stop them in the 2010 semi-finals. Meath would love nothing more than to cause a huge shock to Dublin, who were unconvincing in their win over Wicklow. Advertisement In the other semi-final, Louth and Kildare and playing for not only a place in the Leinster final, but a place in the All-Ireland. After a poor league campaign, Louth finished in sixth, while Kildare were promoted from Division Three. Should Louth reach a third straight Leinster final, they will be in the All-Ireland once again. In hurling, every team is still searching for their first win after two draws last weekend. Advertisement After rescuing a draw in the last second against Clare, Cork take on Waterford, while Clare face Tipperary, who held Limerick to a draw. In Leinster, Galway will aim to recover from a disappointing defeat to Kilkenny when they face Offaly, while Dublin take on Wexford, with both teams hoping to build on impressive opening wins. Here is where you can see this weekend's action: Saturday April 26th Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final Armagh v Tyrone, Clones, GAA+, 4.45 pm. Advertisement Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Round Two Offaly V Galway, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 6.30 pm. Dublin V Wexford, Parnell Park, GAA+, 4.30 pm. Joe McDonagh Cup Kildare v Westmeath, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 4.30 pm. Down v Laois, Ballycran, 1.30 pm. Munster Ladies Senior Football Championship Cork v Kerry; Cloughduv GAA, 2 pm. Sunday April 27th Munster Senior Hurling Championship round 2 Cork v Tipperary, Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, RTÉ, 4pm. Waterford v Clare, Walsh Park Waterford, RTÉ, 2pm. Leinster Senior Football Championsip semi-finals Meath v Dublin, Portlaoise, GAA +, 4pm. Louth v Kildare, Tullamore, GAA+, 2pm. Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final Down v Donegal, Clones, BBC, 3pm. Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Round 2 Antrim v Kilkenny, Corrigan Park, 2.00pm. Connacht Ladies Senior Football Championship Mayo v Leitrim; Swinford Amenity Park, 1pm. Leinster Ladies Senior Football Championship Kildare v Dublin; Cedral St Conleth's Park, 2pm. Munster Ladies Senior Football Championship Tipperary v Waterford; Fethard Town Park, 2pm.
Irish Independent
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
More Munster hurling magic in store while Armagh chase coveted Ulster football crown
Brian Lohan's Banner rose from the dead to grab a draw against Cork last Sunday and they must quickly regroup against a fresh Waterford side who sat back and watched all of the opening weekend action unfold. Cork will still be hurting from losing a 12-point lead but there is little time to wallow as old foes Tipperary, who were superb in their draw against Limerick, come to Leeside for the latest chapter of their epic rivalry. Those sides faced off three weeks ago at the same venue when a hat-trick of goals easily did the trick for the Rebels but the psyche may now be different in both camps and a fascinating battle awaits. Elsewhere, the action really heats up in the Ulster Senior Football Championship as defending All-Ireland champions Armagh head to Clones to face Tyrone with a final place up for grabs. Kieran McGeeney's Orchard got their hands on Sam Maguire last summer but ending their 17-year wait to capture the Anglo-Celt Cup is high on their agenda in what is one of four huge provincial finals on another mouth-watering weekend of GAA.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Antrim vs Armagh: Live stream and TV information, throw-in time, betting odds and all you need to know ahead of today's Ulster SFC quarter-final
After the dust has settled on the 'Corrigan Park or nowhere' row, Antrim must try and deal with the small matter of facing the defending All-Ireland champions Armagh. Twice in recent seasons, the Saffrons have suffered heavy losses to the Orchard County, in 2021 and in 2023. Both games were played in the Box-It Athletic Grounds. This time, Antrim will have home advantage, albeit the majority of the supporters in attendance will be from Armagh. READ MORE: 'Never say never' - Linfield star Matthew Fitzpatrick opens up on Antrim GAA future READ MORE: "It's just nonsensical to me" - Monaghan legend Conor McManus blasts "ridiculous" mid-season rule change Kieran McGeeney's side were inconsistent in the League and were hampered by injuries to several of their key players, but they managed to avoid relegation thanks to a round seven win over Derry. Antrim, in stark contrast, were relegated to Division Four for next season - hardly ideal preparation as they bid to cause of the biggest upsets in the history of the Ulster Senior Football Championship. Here's all the information you need to know ahead of today's Ulster SFC quarter-final. . . Antrim vs Armagh is on Saturday, April 12 at Corrigan Park, Belfast. Today's game starts at 12.30pm. Today's game is being broadcast live on BBC 2 NI and also on the BBC iPlayer. The game will also be streamed live on GAA+. Belfast Live Sport will be live blogging all the action from today's game. Antrim 18/1 Draw 30/1 Armagh 1/40 Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
