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Irish Times
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Rory Beggan's Monaghan season ends having scored 26 two-pointers
Beggan tops Monaghan's scoring charts from goalkeeper One of the best online resources for Gaelic football statistics at present is X account @TheNumbersGael, collated by journalist John Hughes. Hughes publishes teams' statistics for the season , unearthing interesting nuggets. For example, Brian Howard, David Byrne and Ciaran Kilkenny were the only three players to start every league and championship match (14 in total) for Dublin this year. Dessie Farrell's win percentage as manager was 69.32 per cent over 88 games; for context, predecessor Jim Gavin's was an astonishing 76.69 per cent over 133 matches. Outgoing Roscommon manager Davy Burke's record, per Hughes' research, was 40.91 per cent over 44 matches. Hughes also totted up the percentage of scores contributed by a single player. Waterford's Jason Curry leads the way with a sensational 39.15 per cent of the Déise's total in 2025, followed by Sam Mulroy of Louth (36.11 per cent), Limerick attacker James Naughton (35.07 per cent), Pat Havern of Down (33.45 per cent) and Westmeath's Luke Loughlin (33.33 per cent). READ MORE What may be the most impressive stat, however, is Rory Beggan contributing 0-59 across 13 Monaghan matches, 0-54 from placed balls. That tally, including 26 two-pointers, makes him the Farney's leading scorer and surely marks the first time a goalkeeper has ever topped a county's scoring charts. Eamonn Fitzmaurice's theory does not hold water 'Galway,' opined co-commentator Eamonn Fitzmaurice 32 minutes into yesterday's clash, 'will be happy enough, they're not playing with much explosiveness yet playing for the third week in a row, it's the second half before you really get going.' That was certainly the case on the previous evening as Donegal, noticeably flat in the first half in what was their third match in two weeks, powered on after the break, winning the second half by 1-15 to 0-5, having trailed by seven. Fitzmaurice's own Kerry also backed it up emphatically afterwards but overall, results do not fully back up his theory. For example, in 2023, just a point separated Dublin and Mayo at half-time in the quarter-final but the Dubs, who'd had two weeks off, won by 12. Also that year, a rested Kerry were three up at half-time and won the second half by nine against Tyrone; Cork vs Dery was a one-point game at the midway point before the Rebels wilted, losing by four. Monaghan were the outliers in 2023 but just about – they trailed by one at half-time against Armagh, were level at full-time and only won on penalties. Last year, of the four quarter-finalists playing three weeks on the bounce, Derry, Louth and Roscommon were all competitive in the first half and lost the second by five, eight and four points respectively, with Galway (against Dublin) the only ones to buck the trend. Seán O'Shea of Kerry kicks a two-pointer. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho Quote 'So there it is. Armagh v David Clifford. The only Kerry footballer worthy of the name ...' Columnist Joe Brolly didn't count on a Man of the Match display from Sean O'Shea ... Improving as they go along is Meath's heritage Meath, it's fair to say, have generally got better and better as this year has gone on, having toiled in Division 2 of the league. Then again, maybe it was always thus. The Royals' last win over Galway at Croke Park was the 1970 All-Ireland semi-final. Writing on these pages that morning, Paddy Downey noted Meath's 'capacity for enormous improvement in each successive game'. 'While hardly a phenomenon, it has confounded the critics many times in the past, most noticeably in 1964 when they also played Galway in a semi-final, in 1966, when the counties met in the final and again in the following year, when the team led by Peter Darby won the Sam Maguire Cup.' Meath's levels have escalated in a similar manner this year. Downey, for the record, was the only journo to tip Meath; Mick Dunne in the Press and the Independent's John D Hickey both plumped for the Tribesmen. Number: 3 Donegal wides against Monaghan; amazingly, Michael Murphy registered them all. Monaghan's Kieran Duffy and Michael Murphy of Donegal. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho Jordan Morris leaves Cavan wondering what could have been Meath's Man of the Match, Jordan Morris, was beaming as he accepted his award after the win over Galway, concluding his interview with a rousing – and loud – 'Up the Royallll!' Ironically, the sharpshooter plays his club football just across the county boundary in Cavan. Morris began his career with the Kingscourt Stars club before transferring to Nobber in Meath in his teens. Morris scored 2-6 as the club won a long-awaited Intermediate Championship title in Meath in 2019 but transferred back to the Stars, one of the giants of senior football in Cavan, in early 2022, helping them to the Senior Championship final the following year. Breffni fans had hoped the now 25-year-old would switch county allegiances too but he quickly ruled that out (and more's the pity, says this column).
The 42
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Donegal dominate in second half against Monaghan to reach All-Ireland last four
Donegal 1-26 (1-3-20) Monaghan 1-20 (1-5-10) DONEGAL'S SECOND-HALF brilliance has propelled them into the All-Ireland semi-final for the second successive season. Trailing by seven at the break against Monaghan in the opening tie of quarter-final weekend, 1-15 to 0-11, they turned the game around in the second half to win by six points. The Ulster champions outscored Monaghan by 0-11 to 0-2 across the last 25 minutes of the game to seal a passage into the last four. Michael Langan's bullet to the net in the 44th minute provided Donegal with a major boost as they set about overhauling Monaghan. Gabriel Bannigan's side exited after a limp second-half showing. They were excellent in the first half, Rory Beggan striking five points, Andrew Woods contributing a pair of two-pointers, and Mícheál Bannigan pounced for a goal in the 27th minute after a poor kickout from Shaun Patton. That moved them 1-9 to 0-8 in front, and they led 1-15 to 0-11 at half time after Beggan's booming two-pointer from play, following the buzzer. Donegal looked to be fading, the six-day turnaround and hectic schedule catching up with them, but Ciarán Thompson was one source of scoring inspiration with two-pointers. Donegal's Michael Langan and Monaghan's Stephen O'Hanlon. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO Jim McGuinness shared some 'harsh words' in the dressing room after a 'big wake-up call,' as described by Man of the Match Shane O'Donnell. He finished with 0-3, while Langan top-scored with 1-3 on his 100th Donegal appearance. Michael Murphy hit 0-4, split evenly between play and frees. The Ulster champions outscored Monaghan 1-15 to 0-5 in the second half – and 0-11 to 0-0 from the 46th to 68th minutes. While Monaghan were wasteful, with 12 wides in all, and tried to force matters down the stretch, Donegal scored 1-26 from 26 scoring chances and hit just four wides. Three of those were from Murphy, the other courtesy of Roarty in their off-colour first half. There was an obvious swing around the 50th minute: Beggan's two-pointed free effort crashing off the post, Woods sending the follow-up shot wide, before Langan levelled matters at the other end. Donegal got joy from the bench too, Patrick McBrearty stepping up with two important points. They now march on to the All-Ireland semi-finals, and continue their winning streak over Monaghan in championship football – unbeaten since the 2015 Ulster final. Monaghan's Aaron Carey and Ryan McHugh of Donegal. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO Scorers for Donegal: Michael Langan 1-3 (1 2pt play), Michael Murphy 0-4 (0-2f), Conor O'Donnell 0-4, Ciarán Thompson 0-4 (2 2pt play), Oisín Gallen 0-3, Shane O'Donnell 0-3, Peadar Mogan 0-2, Patrick McBrearty 0-2, Ryan McHugh 0-1. Scorers for Monaghan: Rory Beggan 0-5 (1 2pt play, 1 2pt free, 0-1 '45), Micheál Bannigan 1-2 (0-1f), Andrew Woods 0-4 (2 2pt play), Stephen O'Hanlon 0-3, Conor McCarthy 0-2, David Garland 0-2 (1 2pt play), Ryan O'Toole 0-1, Ciarán McNulty 0-1. Advertisement Donegal 1. Shaun Patton (St. Eunan's) 2. Finnbarr Roarty (Naomh Conaill), 3. Brendan McCole (St. Naul's), 4. Peadar Mogan (St. Naul's) 5. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar), 6. Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs), 7. Ciarán Moore (St. Eunan's) 26. Hugh McFadden (Killybegs), 9. Michael Langan (St. Michael's) 25. Caolan McColgan (St Patrick's Muff), 11. Ciarán Thompson (Naomh Conaill), 12. Shane O'Donnell (St. Eunan's) 13. Conor O'Donnell (Carndonagh), 14. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly), 15. Oisín Gallen (Seán Mac Cumhaills) Subs 10. Daire Ó Baoill (Gaoth Dobhair) for McColgan (40) 8. Jason McGee (Corduff, Monaghan) for McFadden (45) 22. Patrick McBrearty (Kilcar) for Gallen (49) 19. Eoin McHugh (Kilcar) for Ryan McHugh (56) 24. Niall O'Donnell (St Eunan's) for Murphy (66) Monaghan 1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown) 2. Ryan Wylie (Ballybay), 3. Kieran Duffy (Latton), 4. Dylan Byrne (Magheracloone) 5. Ryan O'Toole (Scotstown), 6. Dessie Ward (Ballybay), 7. Conor McCarthy (Scotstown) 8. Mícheál McCarville (Scotstown), 20. Gary Mohan (Truagh Gaels) 10. Aaron Carey (Clontibret), 11. Mícheál Bannigan (Aughnamullen), 12. Ryan McAnespie (Emyvale) 21. Ciarán McNulty (Inniskeen), 14. Andrew Woods (Inniskeen), 15. Stephen O'Hanlon (Carrickmacross) Subs 13. Jack McCarron (Scotstown) for McAnespie (inj) (40) 18. Louis Kelly (Truagh Gaels) for McCarville (50) 25. David Garland (Donaghmoyne) for McNulty (50) 26. Karl O'Connell (Tyholland) for McCarthy (59) 19. Darren Hughes (Scotstown) for Mohan (59) 24. Stephen Mooney (Cremartin) for Garland (blood) (60) Garland for Mooney (62) Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon) - With reporting from Fintan O'Toole.
BBC News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Donegal fight back to deny Monaghan semi-final spot
Donegal recovered from a seven-point half-time deficit to power into the semi-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with a 1-26 to 1-20 win over Monaghan at Croke was a very real prospect of a shock at the midway point as Jim McGuinness' men looked decidedly off colour and their Ulster rivals were taking full advantage.A Micheal Bannigan goal coupled with an exhibition of shooting from Rory Beggan and Andrew Woods gave the Farney Army hope of an upset as they led 1-15 to 0-11 at the Donegal responded with a powerful second-half display, out-scoring Monaghan by 1-15 to 0-5 with a goal from Michael Langan in the 44th minute the major turning point that put the Ulster champions in control. Donegal make slow start after six-day turnaround Donegal made a bright enough start with Oisin Gallen landing either side of Monaghan's Conor McCarthy and they could have had a goal when Eoghan Ban Gallagher was sent clear, but Rory Beggan made the save with Peadar Mogan taking his point from the gap was two when Monaghan, who had been having issues with their shooting, began to tidy this area up with a pair of two-pointers - the first from a Beggan free and then Andrew Woods with the first of two sublime efforts in the opening an exchange of scores, it was Donegal goalkeeper Shaun Patton then called into action to deny Stephen O'Halloran, but the corner forward popped over the Thompson hit back with a two at the other end and Ryan McHugh tied it were back ahead through Ciaran McNulty before Patton - who had been having issues with his kick-outs - made an error from the restart as he only found O'Halloran who put Micheal Bannigan in to find the responded with a two, but Monaghan enjoyed a fine run to the break with five of the final six points including twos from Woods and a monster effort from Beggan after the hooter, while Patton's issues continued as he was penalised from the restart with Bannigan kicking the went in at the break with a 1-15 to 0-11 advantage and perhaps it could have been more but for half a dozen wides as Donegal were left with much to sort out at the interval. But sort it out they did as three quick scores from Murphy, Gallen and Conor O'Donnell got them back on the rails. Although Monaghan hit back through O'Halloran and McCarthy, momentum was rapidly swinging and, after Shane O'Donnell pointed, Donegal got the goal that brought their fans to life as Michael Langan took a pop pass from Murphy, managed to find some space and sent a rocket of a shot past Beggan to whittle the gap back to the six-day turnaround, the Tir Chonaill men now seemed to have boundless energy and, although Stephen O'Donnell hit back with a point, Donegal would rattle off the next nine on the spin with the O'Donnells and substitute Patrick McBrearty to the fore before Langan kicked a two of his own to put them eight Garland would land a two-pointer at the other end after 23 scoreless minutes for the Farneymen who had lost their way completely, racking up a dozen wides overall, but it was mere consolation as Donegal return to the last S Patton; F Roarty, B McCole, P Mogan (0-2); R McHugh (0-1), E Ban Gallagher, C Moore; H McFadden, M Langan (1-3, 1x2p); C McColgan, C Thompson (0-4, 2x2p), S O'Donnell (0-3); C O'Donnell (0-4), M Murphy (0-4, 2f), O Gallen (0-3).Subs: D O Baoill for C McColgan (41), J McGee for H McFadden (45), P McBrearty (0-2) for O Gallen (49), E McHugh for R McHugh (56), N O'Donnell for M Murphy (67)Monaghan: R Beggan (0-5, 1x2pf, 1x2p, 1f); R Wylie, K Duffy, D Byrne; R O'Toole (0-1), D Ward, C McCarthy (0-2); M McCarville, G Mohan; A Carey, M Bannigan (1-2, 0-1f), R McAnespie; C McNulty (0-1), A Woods (0-4, 2x2p), S O'Hanlon (0-3).Subs: J McCarron for R McAnespie (40), L Kelly for M McCarville (50), D Garland (0-2, 1x2p) for C McNulty (51), D Hughes for C McCarthy (59), K O'Connell for G Mohan (59).Tempoary sub: S Mooney for D Garland (59-63)Referee: P Neilan (Roscommon)
Irish Times
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
All-Ireland SFC quarter-final previews: Top teams about to be thinned out with big names in the firing line
All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals Saturday Monaghan v Donegal, Croke Park, 4pm: Attention on this match's challenges has focused on Donegal 's six-day turnaround but there is also a clear and present danger from a Monaghan team flying high after promotion back to Division One and a business-like All-Ireland campaign to date, which has seen them top one of the less demanding groups and in recognition get a two-week break. When the sides clashed in Ulster, Donegal did an effective job on curbing their opponents' strengths. It's a function of the modern game, especially in Ulster that keeping a goalkeeper nearly scoreless is a live concern. Rory Beggan managed just one point, from a 45, but no two-pointers although his team-mates outscored Donegal 10-4 on them and actually missed another seven. Overall though, Donegal were clearly the better team. Michael Murphy has been in superlative form but they need more from Oisín Gallen and Patrick McBrearty, both of whom have been battling underperformance. Their flying back division gives the team a deeper scoring threat: Peadar Mogan, Finbarr Roarty, Ciarán Moore, Ryan McHugh and Eoin Bán Gallagher are all accomplished counter-attackers. READ MORE Monaghan's vulnerability has been concession totals; they are prolific scorers but so too their various opponents. Micheál Bannigan and Stephen O'Hanlon have led a pacy charge up front with Jack McCarron lending less quicksilver but prolific support off the bench. The battle of the goalkeepers at Easter had been eagerly awaited but Shaun Patton had the better of those exchanges, finding his players with dazzling consistency. Jim McGuinness has been able to welcome back Jason McGee in the last couple of weeks, which is good news for their centrefield whereas Gary Mohan, nursing a hamstring injury, is another player whose input is compromised by injury. He may well get a run but how close is he to full fitness? Verdict: Donegal Tyrone v Dublin, Croke Park, 6.15pm: The biggest issue in this match will not be resolved until the ball throws in on Saturday evening. Con O'Callaghan's listing on the bench for this weekend's quarter-final doesn't come with any coded reference to whether the team captain starts or is like last week, to be held back until there is existential threat to the team's prospects of advancement. Either way, it doesn't say anything too convincing about O'Callaghan's readiness to hit the ground running. If so, it's a terrible blow to Dublin who rely so much on the player's leadership and his enhancement of the attack. Tyrone's Mattie Donnelly. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho Unfortunately, the very injury that he sustained six weeks ago significantly compromises the forward danger he brings when taking on defences. Wheeling him out for the Derry group match two weeks ago was a reflection on how vital the management saw his presence that day even though it won't have helped long-term recovery. Otherwise, things are coming together nicely for Dessie Farrell. The defence is fully restored with Eoin Murchan, John Small and Lee Gannon all back in the swing of things and Brian Howard rediscovering his scoring touch against Cork. Peadar Ó Cofaigh-Byrne has been thriving at centrefield in very respectable company over the past couple of weeks. That will be tested here, as Brian Kennedy has the size to contest ball with Dublin and his partnership with Conn Kilpatrick is the equal – at least – of any Ó Cofaigh-Byrne and Ciarán Kilkenny have faced. Tyrone have their own problems. Michael McKernan's injury rules him out and weakens their rearguard but can Dublin exploit it in O'Callaghan's absence? Niall Morgan hasn't been at his best at a time when the new rules offer goalkeepers so much whereas the eternal Cluxton has regathered something of his Zen powers. The teams' scoring returns aren't hugely different – all the more creditably for Dublin whose group didn't include a piñata like Cavan became after beating Mayo. Darren McCurry has been excellent for Tyrone and there is more to come from Darragh Canavan as well as the lively option of under-20 supernova Eoin McElholm, who has already appeared for the seniors. Farrell can argue legitimately that Dublin have timed their run quite well but for their captain's injury. Nonetheless, Tyrone, half of whom have All-Ireland medals already, will come into this with momentum and belief and in a match tantalisingly balanced, they can tilt the scales. Verdict: Tyrone Sunday Meath v Galway, Croke Park, 1.45pm: No other team has been as tempered in the fire as Galway. Having won Connacht, they promptly lost at home to Dublin in the All-Ireland round robin. Then eight points down in the second half in Celtic Park and facing a crushing championship exit, they managed to squeeze a draw – nearly a win – out of Derry and go on to beat champions Armagh to survive. Third seeding sent them to Newry last week where the elements and Down put them under ferocious pressure even with a big half-time lead. But they survived, as they have done for the last few weeks. They have also got a significant return on goals – 10 in four All-Ireland matches. Shane Walsh of Galway. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho This weekend is the signal for Pádraic Joyce's team to step up performance levels. They have got by and the manager has demonstrated a ruthless trigger-happy game management, which has seen decorated All Stars staring glumly of the bench halfway through the second half of matches. Shane Walsh's shoulder injury was a scare last week but he is named on the match panel. It remains to be seen who will wear the goalkeeper's jersey after Conor Flaherty's dark second half of the soul, kicking restarts into the Newry wind but it's a problem none of the other contenders currently have. Meath have been a revelation, beating both Dublin and Kerry despite missing players. They have some back for this weekend, notably Matthew Costello but could also do with Ronan Jones as a counter to Galway's middle-third air force. Robbie Brennan's side have contributors all around the field but their pace could be the greatest threat. The sheer uninhibited assault on Kerry was also impressive – no feeling their way into things – and the ability to twist the knife by kicking two-pointers proved irresistible. Galway have already ridden out something like that last week but this will be a further test. Verdict: Galway Armagh v Kerry, Croke Park, 4pm: By consensus, the match of the round. Kerry find themselves in the unusual position of being underdogs having had a stuttering championship to date. Most startling was getting turned over by Meath to the tune of nine points and there is an argument that such a result must cast grave doubt on the All-Ireland credentials of the defeated team, no matter how riddled with injury the Munster champions were. Armagh have attracted glowing notices for their performances despite losing the Ulster final again – after extra time – and getting touched off by Galway in the final group match when they themselves had already qualified. They have filled a difficult dance card so far – their last five matches have been against Galway, Dublin, Derry, Donegal and Tyrone. David Clifford of Kerry. Photograph: James Lawlor/Inpho Kerry continue to have awful injury problems. Gone from this week's panel are Diarmuid O'Connor and Barry Dan O'Sullivan, two front-rank centrefielders, and key defender Mike Breen. Paudie Clifford and Paul Geaney are on the match-day panel but questions remain about their full readiness. Kerry have been this way before and have exploded into contention at this relatively late stage of the championship. With David Clifford on your team, more or less anything is possible but there isn't a huge pile of evidence to substantiate that prospect. Jack O'Connor will have noticed that Armagh have exhibited opt-out tendencies in all of their matches to date, which have allowed teams get back to the table or establish big leads – which to be fair, the All-Ireland champions generally recover. Armagh may be afloat on slightly overstated virtues but the fact is that Kieran McGeeney's side have been through a hard-knock passage to this stage and have proven their competitive credentials whereas this weekend is Kerry's first brush with a Division One county. Verdict: Armagh All-Ireland MHC final Clare v Waterford, FBD Semple Stadium, Saturday 5.15: The strange thing about this all-Munster final is that neither county won the provincial title. Cork beat both teams, Waterford twice, in the early part of the season before losing to Clare in the All-Ireland semi-final but the All-Ireland semi-finals endorsed their right to be in the final, as they defeated both the Munster and their Leinster counterparts, Kilkenny. Clare manager Ger O'Connell pointed out that the season's mixed fortunes had made them stronger. 'We took massive learnings from the two losses against Cork and Waterford,' he said. 'I think the Cork defeat really exposed some of the areas we needed to work on, especially the second-half of that game.' Waterford won the first match between the sides and backed it up beating Kilkenny with Cormac Spain in lethal form. Paul Rodgers, brother of Clare All Star Mark, racked up 0-13 against Cork with the quality of his dead-ball striking. It should be a great contest. Verdict: Clare
Irish Daily Mirror
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Donegal v Monaghan TV info, throw-in time/date etc for All-Ireland quarter-final
Donegal face Monaghan this weekend in the All-Ireland Football Championship quarter-final. Jim McGuinness' side have felt aggrieved by their lack of recovery time in the championship so far, with this clash being their ninth game in 12 weeks. Donegal GAA released a statement on Monday saying: "We thought it wholly reasonable and fully justified to seek an extra day recovery time for our players this weekend. "Coiste Chontae Dhún na nGall concludes that this is most regrettable, and very disappointing, that our request has been turned down. We feel the welfare of our players was not adequately considered in the decision making process." Monaghan were the only side to come through the round robins with three wins from three, largely due to the two-point shooting of Rory Beggan from play and from dead balls. They beat Down in the Group 3 top spot decider in their last clash in Armagh. The sides have met already in the championship this year, with the Tír Chonaill men coming through in Clones after a 0-23 to 0-21 win. Here's what you need to know: The match takes place in Croke Park in Drumcondra, on Saturday June 28. The action is scheduled to get under way at 4pm. The match is not being shown live on television but it is being streamed on GAA+. Donegal: 4/11 Draw: 8/1 Monaghan: 3/1
