Patrick McBrearty played in Donegal’s 2012 All-Ireland winning team as a teenager. He will lead the county onto the Croke Park sod on Sunday as captain. Michael McMullan writes…. IT’S all about Donegal for Patrick McBrearty. Yeah, he’d love to be a guaranteed starter, but it’s not as easy or as simple as that. McBrearty […]
McGuinness looks to “absolutely huge” task of curbing Kerry’s attack
By Michael McMullan THERE is plenty of football chat in the car as Jim McGuinness and his son Mark Anthony shoot the breeze on the way to Donegal’s press evening. The buildup to Sunday’s decider is fulling column inches and airwaves all week. How Donegal stop David Clifford is number on talking point to most. […]
And then there were two: The story of semi-final weekend
It was a mixed weekend for Ulster. Tyrone were chinned by Clifford brilliance. Donegal bore their ruthless side. Michael McMullan takes a look. FOUR became two over the weekend as the race for Sam heads towards the final fork in the road. Donegal and Kerry are left standing but two into one doesn’t go. Tyrone put […]
Roarty lauds the Donegal fans
By Michael McMullan FINNBARR Roarty paid tribute to the Donegal fans after Sunday’s comprehensive victory over Meath booked a spot against Kerry in the All-Ireland final later this month. The Naomh Conaill defender, in his first season in the team, was named as man of the match in front of a full house in Croke […]
McHugh bridges 11-year gap to return to the season’s biggest Sunday
By Michael McMullan ELEVEN years is a long time but Ryan McHugh is glad to be back preparing for the biggest Sunday of the year. It has been an exciting few weeks with Ryan and his wife Bridget becoming parents to their son Senan, who was born before their quarter-final win over Monaghan. Ryan was […]
Murphy hails the input of Finnbarr Roarty as Donegal book another final spot
By Michael McMullan FORMER All-Ireland winning captain Michael Murphy was full of praise for Finnbarr Roarty after his performance in Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final win over Meath. Murphy was keen to point out the overall Donegal collective effort as they knock on the door of All-Ireland final day for a fourth time in the county’s history. […]
Three second half goals send Donegal into the comfort zone and a final showdown with Kerry
All-Ireland semi-final Donegal 3-26 (3-1-24) Meath 0-15 (0-2-11) By Michael McMullan Donegal have booked their place in the All-Ireland final with comprehensive victory over Meath on Sunday at Croke Park. Advertisement Second half goals from Conor O’Donnell, Oisín Gallen and Ciarán Moore put Donegal in the driving seat. Donegal played against the wind and led […]
Royal rumble: The Meath v Donegal 1990 story
Bernard Flynn and Manus Boyle were at opposite ends of the field when Donegal and Meath last met in an All-Ireland semi-final, in 1990. Both wore the number 15 jersey and scored goals. They spoke with Michael McMullan DESPITE bagging two goals, Bernard Flynn’s takeaway from the 1990 All-Ireland semi-final was Donegal’s physicality. The hits […]
100 and counting for Langan
By Shaun Casey FIVE points down in the All-Ireland quarter-final, Donegal had all the excuses in the world to fold up the tent, accept their fate and wave their season goodbye. But Michael Langan had other ideas. Monaghan were absolutely ravenous in the opening 35 minutes and carved open a seven-point lead by the moment […]
A view from the Hill: The magic is back in the inter-county game
By Michael McMullan THE game is alive again. Donegal or Meath will be the seventh different finalist in five years. They could be the fifth winner as many seasons. We now have proper discussion over the county scene. The five years before that, Dublin won all five. Mayo lost three of the deciders. Kerry and […]