By Michael McMullan ALL-IRELAND champions Kerry will host Donegal in a repeat of last summer’s final later this month. They were draw together in Monday’s draw in what is also a repeat of the recent league final. There is another heavyweight clash with Ulster sides Armagh and Derry locking horns. Advertisement Louth and Dublin will […]
Armagh were a machine there today: Laverty
May 3, 2026
By Michael McMullan WHAT a difference a week can make. Ask Down. Ask Conor Laverty. From the highs of beating Donegal to Sunday’s chastening defeat at the hands of Armagh. “We are gutted now,’ he said, facing up the media despite their 3-33 to 0-14 defeat. “Listen, it’s hard to put your finger on that. […]
Beggan the Monaghan hero with last gasp winner to sink Derry
May 2, 2026
Ulster SFC semi-final Monaghan 1-30 Derry 3-23 AET Once again Rory Beggan was the Monaghan hero with his two point-free to book their Ulster final ticket with the last kick of a pulsating semi-final. Seconds earlier, Sean Kearney looked to have won the game for Derry with a point with his first touch. It was […]
Laverty hoping for Down momentum to continue
May 1, 2026
By Michael McMullan THERE are two stories going into Sunday’s Ulster semi-final showdown in Clones. Firstly. Armagh are going in with one day extra of recovery having had a comfortable win over Fermanagh. On the flip side, Down had the rollercoaster of chinning the Ulster champions in their own backyard. Advertisement Sunday’s result will write […]
Down team named for Ulster semi-final showdown with Armagh
May 1, 2026
By Michael McMullan DOWN have named their squad for Sunday’s Ulster semi-final clash with rivals Armagh in Clones. Conor Laverty’s side booked their place after an impressive win over reigning champions Donegal on Sunday in Letterkenny. It’s an unchanged team with Pearse McPolin and Caolan Mooney – late inclusions last week – retained. Advertisement Danny […]
Derry name squad for Monaghan showdown
May 1, 2026
By Michael McMullan DERRY manager Ciarán Meenagh has named an unchanged team for Saturday’s Ulster Championship semi-final clash with Monaghan in Armagh’s BOX-IT Athletic Grounds. The game will throw-in at 5pm and will exclusively live on GAA+. It’s the Oakleafers’ first semi-final since their 2023 win over Monaghan in Omagh on their way to retaining […]
Boyle: Monaghan always bring their best
May 1, 2026
By Michael McMullan THE story of Derry’s championship win over Antrim was in two parts – the number of goal chances created versus the two they actually converted. It was the opposite of the day Louth bolted the back door on them in Ardee but coach Martin Boyle takes their change a step further. He […]
Nothing beats being there: The buzz of a packed championship venue
April 30, 2026
There are two plum Ulster semi-finals this weekend. After Down’s electrifying win over Donegal, the Gaels of Ulster can taste another dose of action. Former Monaghan Karl O’Connell helps explain why. Michael McMullan writes… There were so many turning points in Down’s win over Donegal, it’s impossible to know where to dig the spade into […]
Persistence the key for making the step to senior says u-20 coach O’Neill
April 30, 2026
By Michael McMullan FORMER Tyrone attacking star Stephen O’Neill insists players need both persistence and determination to make the cut at county senior level. O’Neill won All-Ireland medals at all levels as a player and was brought on board as coach with the u-20’s this season by Paul Devlin. Speaking to Gaelic Life after Wednesday’s […]
Tyrone captain Devlin drawing on three years of u-20 experience
April 30, 2026
By Michael McMullan YOU don’t need to be talking to Conor Devlin before you realise why Paul Devlin made him the Tyrone u-20 captain. Minutes after picking up his third consecutive Ulster u-20 medal, his words are delivered with precision. Watching him play, his performances back up his measured responses. Advertisement When the chips were […]