By Michael McMullan AS Saturday’s Ulster final ticked into the final seconds of extra-time, Jim McGuinness could only look on. His hands were tied. It was down to the players. All his cards were on the table. After a glance at the clock, he fixed his eyes on Stephen McMenamin and Finnbarr Roarty as they […]
Youngest gun Roarty delivers in late Clones pressure cooker
By Michael McMullan EVERY set of eyes on Clones were locked in on Finnbarr Roarty as the seconds of extra-time ticked away. A true definition of championship white heat. Nothing prepares you for this. The ball was precious. Keeping it was even more so. Donegal are one point up. Roarty is the youngest player on […]
The outside world can wait: The sights and twists of a super Saturday in Clones
For the fourth year in a row, the Ulster final served up extra-time as Donegal and Armagh stood tall all the way to the last second. Michael McMullan took a walk through Ulster football’s Mecca… SATURDAY in Clones was absolutely magic. You could see it, feel it and almost taste it. As for the football […]
John Toal looks into McGuinness v McGeeney
John Toal knows exactly what Kieran McGeeney and Jim McGuinness bring to the table. Shaun Casey writes… ON Saturday afternoon, at the start of this season’s Ulster Championship final, Kieran McGeeney will lock eyes and shake hands with Jim McGuinness for the tenth time in his managerial career. Across tenures with Kildare and his native […]
PREVIEW: It’s up for grabs as Armagh and Donegal lock horns again
Ulster SFC final Armagh v Donegal Saturday, Clones, 5.25pm By Michael McMullan IF we get half of the drama of last year’s final, Clones will be rocking on Saturday evening as two heavyweights slug it out once again. The margins were small. When Jemar Hall decided to drop off Odhrán Doherty to defend the middle, […]
Donegal name their pack for Ulster final rematch with Armagh
By Michael McMullan DONEGAL have named their team for Saturday’s Ulster final with Armagh, a repeat of last year’s final and the last hurdle in their title defence. It’s an unchanged starting 15 from their win over Down with Caolan McGonagle and Mark Curran added to the bench after spells with injury since their win […]
Gavin Mulreany: A bigger picture behind Saturday’s showdown
By Michael McMullan THERE is a warmth in Gavin Mulreany’s smile that radiates the energy in Donegal right now. They put their Ulster champions’ tag on the line in Clones on Saturday evening. Beyond that, they are very much in the Sam Maguire conversation. For Mulreany, there is the realism that he is second choice […]
Darragh Crawford: Donegal’s fan for all seasons
The Crawford family travel everywhere to see Donegal. Their son Darragh is also on an adventure of visiting every club in Donegal. Michael McMullan looks into his story… WHEN Jim McGuinness spoke to the media after Sunday’s win over Down, his message was clear. The Ulster final had to be in Clones. Why? The Donegal […]
GERARD O’KANE: Don’t discount the lower seeds
SO the Ulster final pairing has been decided and we will see most people’s two best teams in Ulster face off in Clones in nine days’ time. On the same weekend we will also see the novel pairing of Meath and Louth hit it off in the Leinster final. The word novel is not directed […]
KEVIN CASSIDY: Then there were two
AFTER seven games, we now know the who will contest this year’s Ulster Final on Saturday week’s and what a pairing we have. It’s hard to argue with these two teams being in the decider and we will look into them in more depth next week to see who might prevail. Returning to last week’s […]









