By Michael McMullan THERE isn’t room to swing a cat in the Clones tunnel, but you can see the wide smile Donegal coach Luke Barrett wears as he steps his way through the crowds. In a feature interview with Gaelic Life earlier in the year, he spoke about growing up and watching the teams’ buses […]
KEVIN CASSIDY: A final for the ages
May 15, 2025
AS I sit down to write this week’s piece, I’m struggling in that I actually don’t know where to begin. I think I can speak for most when I say that was probably one of the best Ulster finals we have ever witnessed. If I’m being 100 per cent honest towards the end of the […]
McGuinness’ extra ingredients in key moments
May 15, 2025
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
May 14, 2025
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
May 14, 2025
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
May 9, 2025
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
May 9, 2025
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
May 9, 2025
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
May 6, 2025
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
May 2, 2025
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 […]