By Michael McMullan CONOR Laverty has named an unchanged side for Down’s opening game in the All-Ireland SFC this weekend, away to Clare in Ennis. The Mourne men made a dramatic comeback to see off Fermanagh before bowing out against Donegal in the Ulster semi-final. Down won the Tailteann Cup at the second attempt last […]
THE dates, times and venues have been announced for Round Two of the All-Ireland SFC. Round One takes place over the next two weekends, staggered based on which provincial finals any of the teams were involved in. The tie of Round Two takes place at Croke Park where reigning champions Armagh take on Dublin. Round […]
By Michael McMullan AFTER the final two provincial showdowns, the search for the Sam Maguire Cup begins this weekend with a full picture of what is coming down the tracks. Reigning champions Armagh face a tough title defence after Saturday’s extra-time defeat put them in a difficult group with last year’s beaten finalists Galway, Dublin […]
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 […]
By Michael McMullan ARMAGH have made one change in their team named for Saturday’s Ulster final showdown with Donegal in Clones (5.25pm). All-Star Conor Turbitt has been listed in the starting 15 for the All-Ireland champions ahead of Tomás McCormack. Jason Duffy and Tiernan Kelly have been included in the squad, while Joe McElroy, Aaron […]
Aaron McKay scored Armagh’s crucial All-Ireland final goal last summer but has yet to play a minute in 2025. One of the players who struggled in the Division Three days, he knows what battling back is all about. Michael McMullan writes… WHILE Armagh’s story of persistence turns up Church Hill in Clones on Saturday afternoon, […]
By Michael McMullan AFTER last weekend’s Munster and Connacht finals, there is a clearer picture ahead of the All-Ireland series. Reigning champions Armagh and Ulster champions Donegal now know exactly what they face when they dust themselves down after Saturday’s showdown in Clones. Galway’s win over Mayo puts them into a tough group with Dublin, […]
THE prize for the winners of Saturday week’s Ulster final is a mini-Ulster championship in Group One of the All-Ireland SFC group stages. Wednesday’s draw pits the winners of Donegal and Armagh against Tyrone and Cavan with Connacht runners up as the second seed. Derry, who have yet to win a game in 2025, face […]
By Shaun Casey STANDING on the steps of the Hogan Stand last summer, Aidan Forker exclaimed that he and his teammates were living their dreams. Such heights seemed unimaginable for most of the Maghery man’s county career. For Forker, Rory Grugan, Andrew Murnin, Stefan Campbell and the likes, they had given over a decade of […]
LIKE the Little Red Hen, Jimmy doesn’t need any help. But unlike the Little Red Hen, he doesn’t ask for it. I watched them training once in 2011, shortly before their All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin and was amazed that, apart from the goalies, he took the entire session himself. The drills, the running, the talks […]
