Kieran McGeeney's Armagh GAA backroom staff to undergo major change as big name assistant departs
The Kerry icon ended his five-year stint with the Orchard, who he helped to
Advertisement
2
Donaghy helped to an unlikely All-Ireland title last year
2
He thanked Kieran McGeeney in his farewell statement
Donaghy operated as Armagh's forwards coach and underwent 800km round trips to attend team training from Tralee.
Armagh reached their third Ulster SFC final on the spin this summer but
They still looked on course to claim back-to-back Sam Maguires when they topped their All-Ireland series group.
But
Advertisement
Read More On GAA
It remains to be seen if Armagh will replace the 2006 Footballer of the Year.
Former Derry star Conleith Gilligan and ex-Orchard ace Ciarán McKeever are also on McGeeney's backroom.
But four-time All-Ireland SFC winner Donaghy will be on the radar as eight counties hunt for new managers ahead of the 2026 campaign.
Roscommon, Dublin, Sligo, Mayo, Waterford, Antrim, Cavan and Derry are managerless.
Advertisement
Most read in GAA Football
But Donaghy may be top of Kerry's recruitment list when they reconvene after
Reflecting on his time with with the Orchard on
'Easiest interview I've ever had' jokes RTE GAA host after pundits go back and forth before Meath vs Donegal
"Thank you to Kieran McGeeney, who took a chance on a rookie coach. You said one year, it became five, only you could pull that off.
"You said I could help and that you would help me in return. You were a man of your word every step of the way.
Advertisement
"To the backroom team, thank you for pushing me, teaching me, and raising the bar. I learned so much just being around ye. To the players, what a group. Tough, resilient, and relentless.
"Watching you chase your dream and finally reach the top in 24 was a privilege. Especially to the older lads, you never stopped believing and you earned every bit of it.
"Thanks to the Armagh County Board for all their support."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
19 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
How Cork's blood and bandage coronation turned into a bloodbath
Even judging by the storied history of Cork and Tipperary's rivalry, this was simply stunning. A first All-Ireland decider between two of the game's bluebloods that almost defied description. How else to explain the way Cork's blood and bandage coronation turned into a bloodbath? The manner in which Tipperary turned around a six-point half-time deficit to crush the hot favourites with a barrage of scores was simply breathtaking. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile You think the game has thrown up every plot twist imaginable, and then it delivers this. At half-time, Munster champions Cork turned in control, Shane Barrett's drilled goal to the bottom corner just before Liam Gordon's whistle, meaning that this was all going along predicted lines. The team that buried Dublin with an avalanche of seven goals and were hot favourites to deliver a first Liam MacCarthy Cup success in 20 years were on course to do just that. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Tipperary had been game and tactically astute in setting up with Bryan O'Mara as a designated defensive sweeper and had hurled with character and composure, but there was a sense that Pat Ryan's goal-hungry Cork were only settling into their rhythm and were ready to open their shoulders. Remember, this was a team on course to earn a clean sweep, a first National League title since 1998, a first Munster since 2018 and ending Limerick's seven-in-a-row hopes in the process. A first All-Ireland in 20 years represented the last piece of the jigsaw. And then the world caved in at Croke Park. What happened in the second half was incredible as Tipperary came out and simply blew Cork away. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile It was a landslide. A demolition. Tipperary won the second half by 3-14 to two points. Two points! On a dry day when the elements weren't a big factor, Tipperary just steamrolled the opposition to the point where Cork's collapse was near total, losing full-back Eoin Downey to a second yellow card in the 54th minute after grounding John McGrath, who showed great hands to catch a long delivery before earning a penalty. The story of Tipperary's redemption in 2025 was summed up by the sight of Darragh McCarthy red-carded right at the start of the Munster group game that Cork won by 15 point,s stepping up to zip the sliotar to the corner of the net. McCarthy was just one of his team's heroes. Still only 19, he was electric. In the semi-final against Kilkenny, he missed a few deadballs and was replaced on the frees by Jason Forde before picking up a second yellow and being dismissed for the second time this summer. Yesterday, he was the game's stand-out player. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile It's testament to the belief and confidence that manager Liam Cahill has imbued in this redesigned team that won an All-Ireland against the head. Remember, it's only last summer that Tipperary were routed in Semple Stadium by the same opposition, finishing bottom of the five teams in Munster. The turnaround engineered by Cahill and his backroom team has been truly remarkable. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile If the second period was one of the great team performances in one half of an All-Ireland final, Limerick's 2021 tour-de-force against Cork springs to mind, as does Kilkenny's faultless display against Waterford in 2007, which was peppered with huge individual displays. Cahill gave captain Ronan Maher the task of trying to curb the imposing talent of Cork corner-forward Brian Hayes, the clear front-runner for Hurler of the Year, and Maher was the kind of tower of strength that reminded of his brother Paudie in his pomp during his own stellar career. He won the physical and aerial battle and tied down Hayes to the extent that he only registered a point from play in the first half. Robert Doyle and Michael Breen were superb, too, in limiting the influence of Alan Connolly and Patrick Horgan, both of whom were replaced in the final quarter. Jake Morris was an absolute livewire up front, and John McGrath rolled back the years. It was his goal that bookended a run of 1-5 without reply at the start of the second half that transformed the game — goalkeeper Patrick Collins tried to stop a point only to bat it down to a dangerous area where McGrath latched on to it and then as the ball bounced around, had the composure to lift and tuck a deft shot to the net. Cork's systems failure was such that a Shane Barrett point in the 46th minute was their sole score until substitute Séamus Harnedy pointed in the 66th. In that time, Tipperary rattled in 3-10. It was jaw-dropping stuff. Especially after a first half in which Diarmuid Healy and Shane Barrett showed the pace and threat that Cork have on the front foot. Healy had a couple of classy scores as Cork went 0-6 to 0-4 ahead, and Barrett finished the half with 1-3 to his name. Darragh Fitzgibbon, too, had a brace of points and when Brian Hayes pointed just before the half-hour, all six Cork forwards were on the scoresheet. Significantly, though, Tipperary didn't give up a single goal chance in that time. Not a sniff for Hayes, Connolly or Horgan, the holy trinity of net busters. Instead, Liam Cahill's decision to play with a plus one in defence looked really smart with Bryan O'Mara the designated free man to cover, he set up just behind his own 45, often guarding the left corner-back slot and the space that the likes of Connolly and Horgan love to burst into. Willie Connors was the one dropping back from midfield to cover wing-back, with Sam O'Farrell dropping from wing-forward to work across the middle third. When Tipperary rattled off the first five points of the second half, you waited for the Cork response. Instead, they looked shellshocked when McGrath pounced for that opportunistic goal. Tipperary were already rampant as Cork lost Eoin Downey to a second yellow in the 54th minute for that foul on McGrath, and McCarthy buried the penalty. Six minutes later, McGrath beat Patrick Collins to the punch and flicked the ball to the net and from there to the finish, it was like one rolling Tipperary celebration, substitute Noel McGrath adding the final grace note to send the Tipp support wild. 'Liam MacCarthy is coming home,' declared captain Ronan Maher from the steps of the Hogan Stand.
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Ringrose and Kinghorn return from injury as Farrell captains Lions for First Nations and Pasifika clash
Garry Ringrose and Blair Kinghorn will return from injury for the British & Irish Lions against the First Nations and Pasifika at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday in a side to be captained by Owen Farrell. There will be Lions debuts for recent squad additions including Ireland centre Jamie Osborne and replacement tighthead prop Thomas Clarkson, as well as four Scotland internationals drafted in from their nation's New Zealand-based tour and former England skipper Jamie George. Yet seen through the eyes of head coach Andy Farrell's selection for the Lions' second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, the returns of Kinghorn at full-back and Ringrose as the outside backs replacement seem to be opportunities for them to prove their fitness and stake a claim to places in the matchday 23 of a potential series decider. There are also chances for back-rowers Jac Morgan of Wales, Ireland's Josh van der Flier and No.8 Henry Pollock, who were seen as unfortunate omissions from last Saturday's first Test in Brisbane, though Farrell senior's selections of Tadhg Beirne at blindside and Tom Curry at openside were vindicated by outstanding performances in a 27-19 at Suncorp Stadium. First Test back-row replacement Ben Earl is named on the bench for Marvel Stadium. Toulouse star Kinghorn will start at full-back 13 days after injuring his knee against the Brumbies and in an all-Scottish back three with wings Darcy Graham, one of the four recent arrivals, and Duhan van der Merwe. The Osborne-Owen Farrell midfield will sit outside Fin Smith at fly-half with Ben White getting his second start at scrum-half since replacing the injured Tomos Williams earlier in the tour. Geroge, like Owen Farrell an England Test centurion, packs down between loosehead Pierre Schoeman and Finlay Bealham at tighthead with a James Ryan and Scott Cummings second row scrummaging behind them. Ringrose, cleared to play following a concussion against the AUSNZ Invitational in Adelaide 12 days ago, is one of three backline replacements alongside England half-backs Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith, who served those duties last Saturday against the Australians. Yet there is still no return for Ireland wing Mack Hansen, whose foot injury against the AUSNZ side kept him out of the first Test. BRITISH & IRISH LIONS (v First Nations & Pasifika): B Kinghorn (Scotland); D Graham (Scotland), J Osborne (Ireland), O Farrell (England) – captain, D van der Merwe (Scotland); F Smith (England), B White (Scotland); P Schoeman (Scotland), J George (England), F Bealham (Ireland); J Ryan (Ireland), S Cummings (Scotland); J Morgan (Wales), J van der Flier (Ireland), H Pollock (England). Replacements: E Ashman (Scotland), R Sutherland (Scotland), T Clarkson (Ireland), G Brown (Scotland), B Earl (England), A Mitchell (England), M Smith (England), G Ringrose (Ireland).
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside Ronan Maher's life beyond hurling from star-studded family to day job as he captains Tipperary to All-Ireland
RONAN Maher followed in his brother's footsteps on Sunday by captaining Tipperary to a shock All-Ireland title. The Premier routed Cork on the back of one of the most stunning second-half displays in All-Ireland final history where 4 He hoisted Liam MacCarthy for the third time on Sunday 4 One of his ex-Tipp star brothers was there to embrace him at the final whistle 4 The Premier were considerable underdogs with most people beforehand 4 Brendan Maher was their captain the last time they won the crown in 2019 Maher Here, SunSport delves into his life away from the hurling pitch: HOW OLD IS RONAN MAHER? The youngest of the three Maher brothers is very much a veteran of the Tipp panel these days as he's 29. The two-time All-Star will turn 30 on October 9. Six-time All-Star Padraic Read More On GAA Meanwhile eldest brother Brendan Ronan and Padraic line out for Thurles Sarsfields while Brendan is a Borris–Ileigh clubman. WHAT IS RONAN MAHER'S JOB? As mentioned by GAA president Jarlath Burns in his post-match speech, Ronan is a hurley-maker by trade. Burns wittily remarked that Sunday saw him go from hurley-maker to history-maker. Most read in GAA Hurling Regarding how his profession revolves around his biggest passion in his free time, Ronan once explained to He said: 'I've always view it as a hobby for me, I'm happy just to be tipping away. Ronan Maher pays tribute to Dillon Quirke after Tipperary GAA win All-Ireland final "It's a change when I will come off my six days working with the guards. "I can go out to the shed and put on the earphones and kind of have my own space.' As mentioned, he is also a member of In 2019 he and Padraic appeared on Ireland AM where they DOES RONAN MAHER HAVE A GIRLFRIEND? He keeps a low profile on social media with his But in one chat with Tipperary Live he did note that he'd spent Christmas 2022 exploring Australia with his girlfriend. He said at the time: 'That was probably up there with one of the best Christmases now, it was a bit different than unusual. "That probably has been one of the most memorable ones for me."
