Jason Foley: 'Extra sweet' beating a couple of Ulster teams
Getting past Ulster opposition in the All-Ireland series. It all started with that infamous Tyrone 'swarm' in the 2003 All-Ireland semi-final and was followed by defeats to the Red Hand and Armagh on days when Sam Maguire was handed out. In more recent times the aforementioned Ulster duo got the better of the Kingdom at the penultimate stage
That said, there were days when Kerry exacted revenge. And on their way to winning their 39th All-Ireland title, Jack O'Connor's side accounted for four Ulster sides, with old nemesis Armagh and Tyrone dismissed in between wins over Cavan and Donegal.
It's the morning after Kerry's latest triumph, time to reflect on a job well done against Jim McGuinness's side in Sunday's decider.
"It was very special, the manner in which we won it, it was a complete performance bar a couple of plays," was how full-back Jason Foley summed it up, when speaking to RTÉ Sport's Marty Morrissey.
The Ulster question was then put to the Ballydonoghue clubman.
"I suppose it's extra sweet when you beat a couple of them in a row and having performed so well in the last three games," he said.
"There were a lot of critics out there saying we hadn't won an All-Ireland before beating a lot of Ulster teams."
But when all is said and done, reclaiming Sam was paramount, with the All-Star defender adding: " At the same time it doesn't really matter as long as you win at the end of the day, once you bring Sam Maguire home. That was the main thing for us."
Kerry's fast start against Donegal set the tone for what was to follow, with the Ulster champions immediately on the back foot.
"It felt on the field like a fierce collective performance for that ten to 15-minute spell," was how goalkeeper Shane Ryan viewed his side's early intent.
"I know we probably went off script for the next ten minutes. Getting a good start really settles you on the field as well; it encourages to express yourself, back yourself, and back each other. When you get that performance early on in an All-Ireland final, it is very satisfying.
"Donegal had spells on the ball which they got scores off. We had to win our own kickout. We had fellas coming up with plays, coming up with scores that would not be renowned with coming up with scores all year."
Kerry's only defeat in Championship 2025 came against Meath in their final group game. Observers, including many from within the county, questioned whether Jack O'Connor's side could turn things around thereafter.
It was a defining game in Kerry's season, with Ryan, on reflection, commenting: "If it didn't happen we might not be here".
🏐 It's been an unforgettable season in the midst of a new era for football. @MickFoley76 charts the year that was
📺 Watch the #SundayGame live: https://t.co/AKAre5FHdN pic.twitter.com/V1rQ2BNUEp
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 27, 2025
Cool heads were required.
"We won the League and we won the Munster Championship, so we played a lot of good football coming up to Meath and played a lot of good football since. I suppose coming home from Meath it was a case of not throwing the toys out of the pram and not going completely off script.
"We knew we had footballers in the dressing room. We also got tighter as a unit afterwards and shut the doors of the dressing room a small bit, galvanise ourselves and use each other for energy.
"It really united the coaching group as well and that is something powerful when you have 50 people in a dressing room, four or five nights a week striving towards the one thing. That was the biggest thing that drove us on over the last six or seven weeks."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
5 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Retiring Roscommon star makes big call on next managerial appointment
Retiring Roscommon footballer Donie Smith insists that the county's next manager should be a local man. Kildare native Davy Burke vacated the role following Roscommon's failure to emerge from their All-Ireland series group this summer, and Smith reckons that the county board should shop closer to home for his successor. The Boyle man was handed his Championship debut for Roscommon back in 2012 by Des Newton, who was the only fellow county man who held the job solely during Smith's inter-county career, which ended last week as he confirmed his retirement. Among those who may be under consideration within the county this time is Smith's elder brother Cian, who took charge of the Roscommon under-20s this year and has previously managed Boyle, along with Roscommon Gaels manager Mark Dowd, who has enjoyed success with Strokestown along with Ballaghadereen in Mayo. Noel Dunning's name has been mentioned too. He managed the Roscommon under-20s to the Connacht title last year and he wouldn't be a novice to senior inter-county management having had a lengthy spell in charge of London during a spell living in the English capital, while he was part of the Roscommon senior managerial set up in 2022. However, while he is attached to the St Aidan's club these days, Dunning is a Westmeath native, originally hailing from the other side of the Shannon in Athlone. Speaking to the Roscommon Herald, Smith said: 'With the new manager, the right man has to come in. In my personal opinion, it should be a Roscommon man managing the team. 'If you look at all the top teams in the country, they all have people from that county. I don't understand why a Roscommon man can't take the job. I think it is really important. I don't see why it shouldn't be an internal man. All the top teams have internal fellas because they trust them. 'I think it is time we trust fellas from Roscommon, who live in Roscommon and are mad about Roscommon. I think we have plenty of good fellas about the place and I think it is time we went internal and put everything behind him.' The trend of Roscommon appointing outsiders is well established since Gay Sheerin stepped aside 25 years ago with John Tobin (Galway), Tommy Carr (Dublin), Val Daly (Galway) and John Maughan (Mayo) all having stints in the job in the 2000s. Former Roscommon players Paul Earley and Michael Ryan had caretaker stints in 2008 after Maughan stepped down mid-season. Former county captain O'Donnell then took on the job for three years and was followed by Newton, who only lasted the 2012 season before being succeeded by Kerry's John Evans. O'Donnell returned alongside Kevin McStay in a joint capacity for the 2015 campaign before McStay took sole charge the following year. McStay and his successor, Anthony Cunningham, are both long-time residents of the county but from Mayo and Galway respectively, while Burke came on board after Cunningham.
Irish Examiner
34 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
GAA communities in Roscommon and Galway mourn the passing of Don Connellan
Former Roscommon footballer Don Connellan has passed away at the age of 51. Don was part of the 2001 Roscommon team that won the Connacht SFC title. He made his inter-county debut in 1993 with the pinniacle of his Roscommon career coming when they overcame neighbours Mayo 1-12 to 1-10 to claim the Nestor Cup in 2001. Roscommon also defeated Galway in the semi-finals. Don was a key figure with his club Kilmore helping them to county finals in 1998, '99 and 2001. When he hung up his playing boots, Connellan moved to Galway where he managed Maigh Cuilinn leading them to county titles in 2020 and 2022 - where they went on to claim the Connacht title and were narrowly defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final. He guided the University of Galway to Sigerson Cup success in 2021 having picked up a medal as a player with the university in 1992. Mhaigh Cuilinn GAA paid tribute to Don through a statement on their website. "It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of our great friend Don Connellan. "Don was involved with our Senior team as a Selector and then a Manager over the course of seven years. "During his tenure as manager Don led us to a historic first County final in 2020, in 2022 we won the County and Connacht titles before a narrow loss in the All-Ireland semi-final. "Under his guidance, he brought the team to the County final again in 2023 before stepping aside to concentrate on health issues. "While the achievements and titles are widely recognised and remarkable for our club, it is the unseen and unselfish work that we will also remember. The nights at training, the countless phone calls and messages, organising players, pitches, matches, physios, etc, but Don went beyond that. "He had a remarkable ability to manage a group while also looking after the individual. He took great satisfaction in seeing a youngster breaking through and was always on hand to support and guide. "Never a man to give the media a soundbite, he avoided reporters like they were opponents on the field. Unassuming to the last, the odd shift change at work to accommodate training would not be mentioned, asking Don to say a few words at clubhouse celebrations after a County final win would be met with a glare and then delivering exactly what was asked for, 'a few words', nothing more. "Don wasn't for the limelight, but behind it, he was all in, on and off the pitch, an excellent manager and coach who was fiercely loyal to his team, his friends, his club, a great competitor; he simply loved the game. Leading a group of ambitious players has its challenges. Don had the skillset to navigate whatever came his way in his own quiet manner. "Away from the Seniors, he would frequently offer support and guidance to the upcoming teams and players. "Away from the football, Don was a family man to the core, he liked nothing more than his time with Linda and the boys, and took great enjoyment seeing them play. "A native of Kilmore in County Roscommon, Don excelled at football for both club and county. Maigh Cuilinn was home for many years with Linda and the boys – Eoin & Conor. "Our thoughts and prayers are with them and the wider Clancy & Connellan Families. "He loved his football, but his family was his world. "Rest easy Don, you will be missed." Don's home club in Roscommon Kilmore paid tribute to their "great friend and true Kilmore legend" through a statement on social media. "Our club and our community are shocked and heartbroken at the devastating news of the sudden passing of our great friend and true Kilmore legend, Don Connellan. "No words can truly do justice to what Don meant to Kilmore GAA. He represented our club with distinction over many years — as a player, coach, and manager — showing immense pride, honesty, integrity, and leadership both on and off the pitch. "Don was a key player for us on countless occasions and played a vital role in the senior team that reached three County Senior Finals in 1998, 1999, and 2001, narrowly missing out on claiming the Senior championship title. "Beyond the club, Don represented Roscommon at all age grades, culminating in the proud achievement of winning a Connacht Senior Championship medal in 2001. He also had the honour of representing Connacht in the Railway Cup and won a Sigerson Cup medal with UCG in 1992. "Don's leadership and passion for the game continued in County Galway with Moycullen GAA, where he managed the senior team to two county titles and led them to an All-Ireland semi-final in 2022. He was also part of the management team with NUIG that won the Sigerson Cup in 2022. "Away from the GAA, Don was an exceptional person — a loyal friend to so many and someone who lived his life with the utmost integrity. His passing leaves a void that we, as friends and a community, will struggle to come to terms with in the days, months, and years ahead. "But perhaps Don's greatest quality was the love he had for his family and home. From his childhood in Clooncoose to his life in Moycullen, home and family meant everything to him. Nothing brought him more joy than his regular visits back to Kilmore to see his parents — his late father Donal and his mother Nellie — his brothers Adrian and David, the wider Connellan family, and his many friends in Kilmore. "Don loved Kilmore, and Kilmore loved Don. "For the past two decades, Moycullen became Don's new home, where he lived with the three people he loved so much — his wife Linda and his sons Eoin and Conor. He cherished life in Moycullen and was warmly embraced by the Clancy family and the wider community. "As a club and community, we are devastated by Don's loss. But our grief is nothing compared to the unimaginable pain that Linda, Eoin, Conor, Nellie, Adrian, David, and the extended Clancy and Connellan families are feeling. We extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to you all. "In the days, weeks, and months ahead, we will do everything we can to bring some comfort and light during this dark time. "Don, you will be deeply missed by all of us who were lucky enough to know you. "Rest easy, Don — you were one of the best."
Irish Examiner
34 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Brendan Cummins: 'We understand in Tipp, it's never as good or as bad as you think'
Bank Holiday Monday afternoon on the mountain and Brendan Cummins is back among familiar faces. He spent years coming to the Cooley Peninsula, often smack bang in the middle of All-Ireland campaigns with Tipperary, with one goal in mind - to chase down Ger Cunningham's record of seven All-Ireland Poc Fada titles. Cummins equalled Cunningham in 2013, stretched it out to eight and then nine titles before competing for a final time in 2019. That was until Monday when, after an invite from Martin Donnelly, in his 30th year as competition sponsor, Cummins agreed to do battle with the 5km course again. For a 15th time in total, he reckons. He finished a creditable seventh of the dozen competitors, three places ahead of Louth's Darren Geoghegan. "Would you believe he (Geoghegan) used to be carrying the flags for me and watching where the balls were landing when I was coming up here competing years ago," smiled Cummins. The fire still burns brightly in the former Tipp goalie who was frustrated that half the 5km Annaverna Mountain course was deemed unplayable due to high winds. He had a figure in mind for total pucks that he wanted to beat. Kilkenny hurler Fionan Mackessy - whom Cummins previously coached when both were involved with Kerry - recognised that the Tipp man meant business and declined to tap him up for advice beforehand, as he had done before winning in 2023 and 2024. As for taking the title, and beating the likes of Mackessy, or eventual winner Colin Ryan, an All-Ireland SHC medallist with Limerick in 2018, Cummins hadn't quite carried that level of ambition with him up the M1. "If a 50-year-old starts beating 25 and 26-year-olds in a Poc Fada competition, they'd want to have a look at themselves," he said, referencing his landmark 50th birthday at the start of the summer. Brendan Cummins competing in the Senior Hurling competition during the M. Donnelly GAA Poc Fada All-Ireland Finals at Annaverna Mountain in the Cooley Peninsula, Ravensdale, Louth. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Around 300 were in attendance in Ravensdale for the annual competition and Cummins broke about even in the request-for-a-selfie count with former world boxing champion Bernard Dunne, a regular attendee and close pal of sponsor Donnelly. It has been the best of years for him and Tipp, with two All-Ireland hurling titles tucked away, one of those thanks in a large part to Cummins. He continued as U-20s manager and, just like 2019, the underage side managed to match the seniors by winning the All-Ireland. Keeping both teams at the top now, is the next challenge. "There's no doubt that when you have a sweet spot there with fellas going well and the young brigade coming through, that you have to make the most of it," said Cummins. "And that's what we'll try to do again. It might work again for us next year, and it mightn't. But we'll keep going, next year and the year after and the year after. And we'll win again, at some stage, but there's no guarantees when it'll happen. "Like, you couldn't say that the Tipp hurlers and the Tipp U-20s are guaranteed to even get out of Munster next year. You couldn't say that. And that's what fuels us all to get going again." Cummins, just in off the punishing mountain course with its giant peaks, valleys and ravines, knows more than most about how quickly sporting fortunes can rise and fall. "We understand the situation in Tipp, that it's never as good as you think it is, and never as bad as you think," he said. "Go back to Thurles last year and Tipp were beaten handily by Cork and everyone thought, 'This thing has blown up altogether'. They turned it around. I was delighted for Liam Cahill because he got wicked stick last year. "And that's the way it works as a manager, he understands that, we all do. But to turn it around, I'm delighted for him." Darragh McCarthy, Oisin O'Donoghue and Sam O'Farrell, key figures for Cummins' U-20s this year, all made significant contributions to the senior success. Cummins, U-20 manager since the end of 2021, has monitored their development closely. He sees more young phenoms potentially following their lead. "I can see right down through the food chain, as we'd call it, and there's lots of potential there," he said. "But we have to develop them and bring them on and accelerate that progress as quick as we can by using our experience as management, that's the trick."
