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Irish Examiner
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Kerry v Donegal: What time, what channel and all you need to know about the All-Ireland SFC final
The All-Ireland SFC final is upon us as Kerry get ready to take on Donegal in the 2025 edition. This will be the second final meeting between the two side having met in 2014 with Kerry taking the spoils on the day 2-9 to 0-12. Kerry are searching for their 29th All-Ireland title while Donegal are on the hunt for their third. This is Jack O'Connor's eighth All-Ireland final having led the Kingdom to wins over Mayo (2004), Cork (2009), Galway (2022) while the lost on three occasions to Tyrone (2005) and Dublin (2011 and 2023). Jim McGuinness led Donegal to All-Ireland glory in 2012 when they defeated Mayo. In their league meeting in February Doengal got the better of the Kingdom 0-23 to 1-18. Both sides have gone to extra time once in this year's championshp with Kerry defeated Cork by two points after extra time in the Munster semi-final while Donegal defeated Armagh by a single point in the Ulster final. Kerry played against Ulster opposition 12 times in All-Ireland finals winning five, drawing one and losing six. It promises to be a cracking game between the two sides. Here is all you need to know. Where and when is it on? The game will take place in Croke Park on Sunday July 27 with a throw-in time of 3.30pm. Where can I watch the game? The game will be shown live on RTÉ One with coverage starting at 2.15pm and BBC Two's coverage commencing at 3pm. There is the ever-entertaining Timmy Moynihan and Ambrose O'Donovan to tune into on Radio Kerry's live commentary. Who is the referee? Brendan Cawley will be the man in the middle and becomes the first Kildare referee to take charge of the All-Ireland final since Michael Monahan in 2005 who took charge of the Kerry Tyrone final while Tyrone won. What can I read about and listen to on Our reporters will be building up to the final throughout the weekend and previewing the game ahead of Sunday's throw-in. Listen to The Gaelic Football Show podcast where Paul Rouse, Maurice Brosnan and James Horan preview the All-Ireland final. James Horan, Maurice Brosnan and Paul Rouse look ahead to Sunday's meeting of Kerry and Donegal in the championship decider. Kerry selector James Costello is a new recruit to Jack O'Connor's management team. He speaks about the new direction that has been brought to Kerry as they eye up their 29th All-Ireland title. Read Tony Leen's article here. Read More Moment Jack O'Connor knew something was stirring with Kerry
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Meath boss 'delighted' to overcome Kerry in LGFA All-Ireland semi after 'being written off the last year'
TG4 LGFA All-Ireland semi-final: MEATH 2-12 KERRY 1-9 Before and after Jack O'Connor's men fell to a comprehensive defeat to Meath in Tullamore last month, there were a few grumblings in the Kingdom about just how neutral Glenisk O'Connor Park was for a game between the two green and gold counties. But any advantages the male Meath players enjoyed at the home of Offaly GAA for that group game were dwarfed by the way the Royal County turned the midland venue into a real home atmosphere on Saturday afternoon, outnumbering their Kerry counterparts by around ten to one and making that advantage count on the pitch too by doing their bit to try and nudge Maggie Farrelly to give those 50/50 calls to the Leinster County, not to mention adding to the growing sense of momentum by hailing every sideline ball, every turnover and every contest win as if it was the final whistle. It was all a world away from the comfortable outing that Kerry enjoyed in the 2024 quarter-finals, where they brushed Meath aside by double scores in Tralee. Many pundits felt that 0-16 to 0-8 win was a sign of the end of an era for the 2021 and 2022 All-Ireland champions – but Saturday evening, Meath manager Shane McCormack said that once he got a few key players back into the side, he knew his team would always be leading contenders. 'We've been written off for the last year and a half and we had been rebuilding,' he said afterwards. 'A lot of girls came back as well and it was great to have them, these girls would run through a brick wall for you. Their determination and energy was the biggest thing there today. "We were two points up at half-time after playing against the wind and we just said to keep the scoreboard moving. Kerry got their goal but we didn't panic and I was delighted to see the composure'. Former Footballer of the Year Vicki Wall, who missed most of 2024 and only came on as a substitute in that game in Austin Stack Park, would have been earmarked by most as the most valuable returnee to the Meath panel. It was her sister Sarah who picked up Player of the Match honours on Saturday however, while Robyn Murray in goal was another crucial ingredient in the win, both for the way she cleaned up her own sector and also for the accuracy of her kickouts. 'I'm delighted for Sarah, she's been phenomenal, she came back into the setup last year and she's made the six spot her own with great leadership and composure, and we saw that with the goal as well'. The tumultuous roar that greeted the centre back's goal was one of many moments that cemented the feeling that this was always going to be Meath's day. 'The crowds came out in their droves, and today it wasn't Navan it was Tullamore and I'd say it was double the crowd, so my thanks to all the fans and supporters, we really appreciate it,' McCormack beamed. Given the final margin however, and the comprehensive manner of Meath's win, Kerry manager Mark Bourke could only acknowledge that while 2025 was a 'great year', with Munster and National League honours secured, they were clearly second best yesterday. 'I thought the hungrier team won,' said the Tralee man. 'Meath were there to the breaking ball. They were hunting in packs, they were overlapping in numbers, and we weren't doing that'. 'I thought we started well in the second half, we got a goal, but Meath brought it up another gear in terms of the hunger and intensity. That's the difference. 'It takes time to replenish twelve new players again. If anyone doesn't understand that they shouldn't be involved in it. But there's really a lot of talent in Kerry football. You could see it there. 'I'm very happy with the year. You play these games knowing that you could go in to lose. But did everyone do their best, did everyone buy in? Everyone bought in, everyone did their best. Did we lay it out right? "I think we did. Games are going to be won and lost. So, on to the next game,' he concluded. Scorers for Meath: E Duggan (0-5, 4f), K Cole (1-0), S Wall (1-0), C Smyth (0-2), M Farrelly (0-2), A Cleary (0-2), S Ennis (0-1). Scorers for Kerry: S O'Shea (0-5, 4f), D O'Leary (1-0), N Ní Conchúir (0-2), A Galvin (0-1), C Evans (0-1). MEATH: R Murray; MK Lynch, Á Sheridan, K Newe; A Cleary, S Wall, K Kealy; O Sheehy, M Farrelly; M Thynne, N Gallogly, C Smyth; E Duggan, V Wall, K Cole. Subs: S Ennis for Newe (32), K Bermingham for Sheehy (40), N McEntee for Cole (56). KERRY: ME Bolger; E Lynch, C Lynch, D Kearney; A O'Connell, E Costello, A Dillane; M O'Connell, A Galvin; N Carmody, N Ní Conchúir, C Evans; D O'Leary, S Ó'Shea, J Lucey. Subs: R Dwyer for Lucey (37), R Rahilly for Kearney (38), K Enright for Galvin (50), F O'Donoghue for A O'Connell (52), N Quinn for Dillane (53). Referee: Maggie Farrelly (Cavan).
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Kerry more hopeful than not of having full hand of players to face Donegal in All-Ireland final
'Most fellas are back training in some shape or form, which is good,' the Kerry manager confirmed at the team's pre-final media briefing on Saturday Kerryman Eight days out from their third All-Ireland football final in four years, Kerry manager Jack O'Connor's glass is looking more full than empty with regard to what has been an injury-blighted season. Having overseen an intense training session in Killarney on Saturday morning, O'Connor – who is preparing for his eighth All-Ireland final as Kerry manager – was happy to report afterwards that all bar one player took part in the full training session, with the inference that the Kingdom should be in a position to select from almost a full hand for next week's showdown with Donegal.
Irish Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
How Kerry found themselves in the All-Ireland SFC final against Donegal
Under siege Kerry "battened down the hatches" to keep at bay the storm that raged after their group phase defeat to Meath. One month later they are on the cusp of glory - just one victory away from a 39th All-Ireland SFC title. That nine-point loss to the Royals, the Kingdom's biggest in the championship since Meath's 15-point thrashing in 2001, had former Kerry stars declaring the end of the season was nigh for their team. But Jack O'Connor's side roared back to cast aside reigning champions Armagh in the All-Ireland quarter-finals, then dismissed Tyrone's bid in Saturday's semi-final to set up the Sam Maguire Cup decider against Donegal. It wasn't the same shock and awe second half performance that delivered 14 unanswered second half points in 15 minutes against Armagh, but after a slow start Kerry came to life when their talisman David Clifford did. The master from Fossa scored his first point in the 18th minute, banked 1-5 by half-time and finished with 1-9. The men in green and gold scored eight unanswered second half points after Tyrone had clawed their way back to one point behind as the Red Hands' challenge collapsed as they converted only three of their last 15 shots. "Yeah, I suppose after the Meath game we were all very disappointed in our performance," said Kerry captain Gavin White afterwards. "We knew that wasn't us. We got a bit of slack for it but we tried to keep all that out of the camp. We knew the quality that we had inside in training and we believed in what we were capable of. "So we just batted down the hatches, I suppose, went into the Cavan game and went back to basics and built from there. Obviously the Armagh game was a huge game for us, considering what happened last year. So we wanted to rectify that and thankfully we're able to bring that into this game as well." O'Connor was rightly pleased with many aspects of his side's performance and, while they did leave a string of goal chances behind apart from Clifford's superbly-taken 29th minute effort, he was content that they were making those opportunities. However Kerry will spend the build-up to the final in two Sundays' time working on their kick-out strategy after being forced to fix it on the fly against Tyrone. Conn Kilpatrick ruled the skies in the opening period on Saturday and it took time for the Kingdom to prevail there, although Joe O'Connor impressively grew into the contest to eventually dominate and, in the third quarter, Kerry effectively squeezed the life out of their rivals' challenge. In fact, Kerry didn't concede a point off their own restart after the break. It's an aspect of their game that Kerry know they must address ahead of a final that pits them against opponents that are highly effective in that area. They won't want a similarly sluggish start against Jim McGuinness' side. "The big thing from my point of view is that kick-outs have become an even more important part of the game, breaking very physical in and around the middle, especially coming up against a big physical team like Tyrone," said White, one of Kerry's top performers in wrestling back control of the midfield battle. "But you have to put your body on the line and thankfully a lot of the lads were able to do that today, especially in the second half when we needed it. As Jack alluded to, we found the kick-outs in the first half were giving us a bit of a bother and we were able to rectify that at half-time and produce a performance in the second half. "When you have a big Kerry support behind you there, when you win a big break like that, you certainly get a lot of energy from it. On the flip side if Tyrone win the break you hear the Tyrone crowd and you hear the momentum shifting back and forth. "So we talked about big plays coming into this game, not particularly huge scores - with breaking ball obviously being a huge one. And unfortunately for us in the first half we failed in that regard so we were able to rectify that at half-time." The hot conditions made it tough for the players, especially given the non-stop nature of the new FRC rules established this year. All the more reason for O'Connor to be satisfied, given how his team got on top the longer the game progressed. White said that the humidity that Kerry experienced in the Armagh game stood to them against Tyrone. "Certainly it was difficult conditions to play in," he added. "So we were looking to try and keep the ball as much as we could and conserve energy. "But Tyrone are a serious team so there were obviously times where we had to run the ball as well. The new rules have changed the game completely. I think we'd all agree that it's for the better. It's certainly a lot more taxing on the body. I said at the start of the year that there would be a lot more injuries from it and unfortunately for us we picked up an awful lot from them. "But it's definitely a lot more of a spectacle, a lot more enjoyable to play in and, look, I'm just over the moon that we're able to play as well as we are at the business end of the year and look forward to an All-Ireland final in two weeks' time." TEAMS AND RATINGS KERRY Shane RYAN 7 Paul MURPHY 6 Jason FOLEY 7 Dylan CASEY 7 Brian Ó BEAGLAOICH 8 Gavin WHITE 8 Mike BREEN 8 Séan O'BRIEN 6 Joe O'CONNOR 0-2 8 Mark O'SHEA 6 Seán O'SHEA 0-3 (2fs) 7 Graham O'SULLIVAN 0-1 7 David CLIFFORD 1-9, (4fs, 1 2ptr) 9 Paudie CLIFFORD 0-2 7 Dylan GEANEY 0-1 6 Subs: Killian Spillane (0-2) for Dylan Geaney 48mins, Evan Looney for Casey 59mins, Tadhg Morley for Breen 62mins, Tony Brosnan for P Clifford 65mins. TYRONE Niall MORGAN 7 Cormac QUINN 6 Padraig HAMPSEY 5 Niall DEVLIN 7 Peter TEAGUE 7 Ben MCDONNELL 6 Kieran MCGEARY 0-1 7 Brian KENNEDY 6 Conn KILPATRICK 8 Mattie DONNELLY 0-2 7 Séanie O'DONNELL 0-2 7 Ciarán DALY 0-2 7 Eoin MCELHOLM 0-1 6 Darren MCCURRY 5 Darragh CANAVAN 0-7 (2fs, 1 2ptr) 8 Subs: Michael McKernan for Bradley 48mins, Mark Bradley (0-1) for McCurry 48mins, Peter Harte for Daly 52mins, Ruairí Canavan (0-2, 1 2ptr) for McElholm 56mins, Michael O'Neill for O'Donnell 67mins. REFEREE: Joe McQuillan (Cavan) QUOTE ME ON THAT "It used to be three or four weeks to an All-Ireland final in the old days, but it'll be a great two weeks. There is always a great buzz around the county. Really looking forward to it now." Kerry manager Jack O'Connor. STAR MAN David Clifford (Kerry) Stood up when his team needed him most. Kerry struggled in the first half but when he ignited so did the Kingdom. Pole position for another Footballer of the Year gong. AN OTHER "There's been a lot of positives but a game like that shows the level you have to get to if you want to be challenging for the top honours and that's what we'll learn from today." Tyrone boss Malachy O'Rourke. UP NEXT Kerry are in the All-Ireland SFC final on Sunday, July 27; Tyrone are out of the championship.
RTÉ News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
All-Ireland Football Championship semi-finals: All you need to know
SATURDAY 12 JULY Tailteann Cup final Kildare v Limerick, Croke Park, 2.30pm All-Ireland SFC semi-final Kerry v Tyrone, Croke Park 5pm SUNDAY 13 JULY Donegal v Meath, Croke Park, 4pm ONLINE Live blog on and the RTÉ News app. TV RTÉ will have coverage of both All-Ireland semi-finals, as well as the Tailteann Cup final on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Watch highlights on The Sunday Game from 10.15pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. RADIO Live commentaries and updates on Saturday Sport & Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 - and Spórt an tSathairn and Spórt an Lae on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. WEATHER Saturday: Very hot with plenty of sunshine, turning hazy over the western half of the country. Highest temperatures of 24 to 29 degrees in a light to moderate southeast breeze. Sunday: A dry and bright start on Sunday with spells of sunshine for most, with highest temperatures of 23 to 28 degrees in light to moderate southeast winds. Kerry set for latest northern test From 1969 up until the summer of 1991, Kerry enjoyed a 100% record against Ulster opposition. Since then however, things have been patchier to say the least. Down ended that sequence, while the Mourne men's win in 2010 was arguably an even greater shock, the Sam Maguire holders dumped out at the quarter-final stage. Their four defeats to Tyrone - in every year the Red Hand claimed ultimate honours, has always been a stick to beat the Kingdom with. Both of Armagh's All-Ireland victories saw them lower Kerry colours, while Donegal's march to glory in was solidified after getting past the green and gold to bring an end to Jack O'Connor's second term in charge. Kerry supporters would be forgiven for an element of trepidation this weekend, yet the reality is that should their team go all the way in 2025, there is the distinct possibility of seeing off three Ulster sides in succession to come out on top. The astonishing 15-minute blitz of Armagh last time out, hitting 0-14 without reply, turned the quarter-final on it's head. Can Kerry reach similar heights again on Saturday? For a team that has struggled for much of the season to find their groove, Tyrone are likely to scope out whether that was a once-off for Kerry, or the launchpad for the business end of the season. The Red Hand, for their part, have had a topsy-turvy championship (following on from Division 1 relegation), arriving at the last four to confound many expectations. Edged out by Armagh in Ulster, an eye-catching win over Donegal in the group stages was immediately followed by a limp defeat to Mayo. Cavan, as has traditionally been the case, offered little resistance, but the campaign reignited with a strong surge coming down the stretch to see off the Dubs. Supporters will be hoping to repeat the trick of 2021, where Covid dominated the build-up to the semi-final victory over Kerry for one of the more unlikely All-Ireland successes. Some big names will be absent through injury - Tyrone's Michael McKernan, along with Kingdom trio Barry Dan O'Sullivan, Tom O'Sullivan and Diarmuid O'Connor - have already been ruled out, with Kerry sweating on the fitness of Tony Brosnan, Tadhg Morley, Mike Breen and Paul Geaney. Kerry edge the head-to-head record 5-4, and if Tyrone are to level that score, they are likely to need the superb form of former Footballer of the Year Kieran McGeary, and the two-point shooting prowess of Peter Harte, to continue. Ciarán Whelan and Tomás Ó Sé both expect Tyrone to go man-for-man in defence to snuff the Kerry dangermen. Kerry didn't raise a green flag against Armagh and all year Malachy O'Rourke's side have demonstrated a steeliness at the back. Cavan (twice), Armagh, Donegal and Dublin failed to find the back of the net, a Mayo side fighting for their lives the only side to force Niall Morgan to pick the ball out of his net. Donegal on a mission Twelve months ago, the Donegal footballers trooped off the field against Galway lamenting what might have been. The chance to return to the All-Ireland final was tantalisingly close in Jim McGuinness's first year back in charge, a tense, finely balanced semi-final there to be won. Level with a little over 10 minutes remaining, Oisin Gallen stood over a 13m-free. In All-Star form – though at an angle – he pulled his effort. The Tir Chonaill men failed to score, the Tribes men popped over two scores to advance. Watching on in his role as a BBC analyst on the day was Michael Murphy. This time around a different challenge awaits at the penultimate stage. Galway, Dublin and Armagh have left the stage, and now it's a Meath side that have taken a few scalps along the way that are bidding to continue their own remarkable journey. As you would expect from a McGuiness's-led side, the fingerprints of planning are all over their run to the last four. With a league final clearly within sight, the reins were pulled up with the Ulster preliminary round looming. That has proven to be a wise decision as Saturday marks their 10th championship outing, with McGuinness highlighting their tight scheduling, as well as voicing his displeasure at venue choices where he felt his team had been slighted. On the pitch, the pieces of the puzzle appear to be fitting together. Shaun Patton is in the elite goalkeeper bracket, while the likes of Finbarr Roarty, Peadar Mogan and Ciarán Moore in defence are in All-Star form. Caolan McGonagle could slip back into the half-back line after a recent injury setback, while there is serious strength around the middle third with the likes of Jason McGee, Hugh McFadden Michael Langan, Ciaran Thompson. The O'Donnell brothers, Shane and Conor, took Monaghan for 0-07 last time out, ably assisted up front by Murphy, Gallen and Daire O Baoill. Donegal start out as outright All-Ireland favouries, never mind to see off the Royals, but Robbie Brennan has his team riding the crest of a wave. Would they have expected to be just 70 minutes away from a first final appearance since 2001 at the start of the campaign? Unlikely, yet the only semi-finalist that went unbeaten in the group series and ended Dublin's Leinster dominance have been one of the stories of the summer. Right around the pitch they have exuded confidence, starting with 21-year-old Billy Hogan in goals. Sean Rafferty has been in imperious form on the edge of the square, while Jordan Morris and and Matthew Costello - pictured above - in particular have been causing havoc up front. The general consensus is that Meath's journey is likely come to an end, but how will Donegal cope with that pressure against the Meath tyros? "You end up in these moments in championship runs where everything is on the line and the players have to find a way," McGuinness said of the win over Monaghan after a sluggish start. Last year they couldn't find a way against Galway, this time around they will be looking to go at least one step further. Kildare and Limerick look to Tailteann glory as stepping stone Who will follow in the footsteps of Westmeath, Meath and Down in being crowned Tailteann Cup champions? Kildare and Limerick travel to GAA headquarters this weekend with the prize of All-Ireland football in 2026, regardless of league performances next year, dangling in front of them. A cursory glance at recent finals should instill great hope in Kildare supporters that Saturday could be the springboard for greater things. Down went from final defeat to Meath in 2023 to the winner's enclosure 12 months later, while the Royals have shown in spectacular fashion what a bit of momentum and confidence can do to a group. Kildare, similar to both counties, have slipped well down the pecking order in recent years, but after promotion to Division 2 and positive signs since the Leinster semi-final defeat, manager Brian Flanagan will point to green shoots. The Lilywhites however are never too far from apathy. The league campaign - despite promotion - was tainted by losing three times, including the in the Division 3 decider. Provincial dreams were swatted away by Louth with Dublin out of the picture, while their Tailteann semi-final win over Fermanagh was a wretched spectacle, substitute Brian McLoughlin reeling off 0-05 after his introduction to seal just a fourth win in 24 games at Croke Park. "That wasn't pretty at all," was Flanagan's honest post-match assessment. Standing in their way is a Limerick side that may be rank outsiders, yet have played more games at Jones' Road this year than the Treaty hurlers. They are riding the crest of a wave after a remarkable second-half comeback against Wicklow where Jimmy Lee's side hit 1-09 without response in a 16-minute spell to advance. They will need all the cards to fall in their favour if the Treaty footballers are to claim their first Championship silverware since the 1896 All-Ireland. To that end, Lee could do with James Naughton, Iain Corbett and Emmet Rigter, who all departed early last time out, to be available for selection. In a county where football could be fourth on the sport hierarchy, captain Cillian Fahy says a victory on Saturday could have a huge ripple effect. "It would be a massive privilege," he told RTÉ Sport.
