Sunday’s results
All-Ireland SFC
Cavan 1-13 Donegal 3-26; Derry 2-20 Galway 4-14;
Dublin 0-19 Armagh 0-24; Monaghan 1-25 Clare 1-16
Tailteann Cup
Leitrim 3-9 Tipperary 0-10; Antrim 1-22 London 1-14;
Carlow 1-15 Longford 1-20; Fermanagh 0-25 Wexford 1-17;
Kildare 4-19 Sligo 1-24
And in case you missed them, you can read the full report from Derry v Galway and a wrap of all the action in the Tailteann Cup this weekend via the links below:
[ Conor Doherty’s last-gasp point earns Derry a draw in thriller against GalwayOpens in new window ]
[ Tailteann Cup: Kildare and Fermanagh join Limerick and Wicklow in quarter-finalsOpens in new window ]
Reports from Dublin v Armagh and Monaghan v Clare will be along shortly.
That’s all from me for this evening. Thanks for following along.
Gordon Manning’s report from Breffni Park has landed:
“Order restored. Donegal got back on track with a comfortable 19-point victory in a contest that petered out long before the final whistle at Breffni Park.
It was all in stark contrast to the closing stages of a cantankerous first half in which six yellow cards were flashed – including one to Jim McGuinness and another to a member of the Cavan backroom team.
It threatened to boil over in those dying moments of the first half with grappling matches breaking out across the pitch. McGuinness even raced up the line and went nose to nose with his opposite number, Raymond Galligan.
For the neutrals it was all very entertaining but for Donegal fans among the 12,509 in attendance it merely underlined the stakes at play in relation to their All-Ireland aspirations.”
Read the full Cavan v Donegal report below:
[ Donegal triumph over Cavan to put championship aspirations back on trackOpens in new window ]
Here’s Sean Moran with some on-the-whistle thoughts from Croke Park.
All-Ireland champions Armagh have completed a perfunctory win over their predecessors Dublin in Croke Park. They were more effective at creating chances and more accurate in taking them than their opponents, who struggled to do either.
After a bright first quarter in which Cormac Costello was sharp and accurate, Dublin fell away, giving early signs with a sequence of wides that allowed Armagh to take the initiative.
Three first-half two-pointers, from Rory Grugan and Rian O’Neill, who grabbed another at the start of the second half got the Ulster finalists on their way and they led by four at half-time. Despite getting on top of the kickouts, Dublin were unable to exert much pressure of the scoreboard. Overall, they kicked 18 wides and dropped four short.
The winners were far more accurate and took scores to keep them in the ascendancy – O’Neill kicked another two-pointer from a free. Oisín Conaty, Grugan – who was the television MOTM – and Darragh McMullan also threatened. Dublin face Derry next while Armagh will reunite with All-Ireland opponents Galway in their final fixture.
So this is how the group of death is looking after two games. Armagh leading the way, already through and it remains to be seen what sort of team they put out against Galway, a game Galway need to win. Dublin also face a last scrap against Derry, both final games played at neutral venues.
This sums up the class of Armagh today, playing some the best football in the country right now. Rory Grugan named RTÉ man of the match, Rian O’Neill another serious candidate though.
FULL-TIME: Monaghan 1-25 Clare 1-16: Despite a late goal by Clare, Monaghan have far too much in the end in Clones, Rory Beggan scoring a two pointer from a free to wrap up the nine point win, their second in succession.
FULL-TIME: Dublin 0-19 Armagh 0-24: So the reigning All-Ireland champions hold on to beat the 2023 champions in Croke Park, Dublin unable to get closer than five points in the end. Armagh were impressive winners, Rian O’Neill proving his worth to the team, as they now top the group, with only Galway to come.
Dublin 0-19 Armagh 0-24: Joe McElroy gets in on the scoring act for Armagh after 65 minutes, while Dublin’s wide count continues to mount. A goal chance for Dublin is also cleared away by the Armagh defence. Dublin do manage to win a free on 67 minutes, converted by Costello. A five-point game with three minutes left.
Dublin 0-18 Armagh 0-23: Paddy Small keeps alive some hope for Dublin, hitting a two-pointer on 61 minutes, and Lee Gannon adds a point shortly after. Time may be running out however.
Dublin 0-15 Armagh 0-23: It’s getting a little desperate for Dublin now, Costello making it 12 wides for Dublin on 57 minutes. Armagh quickly move the ball down the field and win a free, from just outside the arc, and boom – Rian O’Neill strikes inch perfect for another two-pointer.
Monaghan 1-15 Clare 0-14: The tide has turned again in Clones, a Conor McCarthy goal helping to swing things back in Monaghan’s favour, 20 minutes into the second half.
Dublin 0-15 Armagh 0-20: Ethan Rafferty does what Ethan Rafferty likes, the Armagh goalkeeper coming out to score from play on 51 minutes. Darragh McMullan adds another from play, and the gap is briefly up to seven, before Sean Buglar hits a two-pointer of his own for Dublin.
Dublin 0-13 Armagh 0-18: A huge two-pointer from Cormac Costello on 48 minutes gives Dublin a much-needed lift, just when it seemed like the game was drifting away from them. The sun is back out, and a big 20 minutes to come.
Dublin 0-11 Armagh 0-18: Dublin are conceding frees for fun now, in breach of the three-up rule for the third time in the first 10 minutes of second half. Rory Grugan converts at will again on 45 minutes and the lead is up to seven.
Monaghan 0-9 Clare 0-14: Jack McCarron hits two pointer from a free for Monaghan and the comeback is on, eight minutes into the second half.
That first two-pointer again from Rian O’Neill. He’s enjoying his day out in Croke Park ...
Dublin 0-10 Armagh 0-15: A magnificent two-pointer from Rian O’Neill in the first minute of the second half has Armagh up by six. Lee Gannon responds for Dublin however in the next run of play.
A half-time update from Sean Moran at Croke Park -
Dublin are just about staying in it at Croke Park as Armagh lead 0-13 to 0-9 despite a strong start. Leading 0-6 to 0-3 near the end of the first quarter with Cormac Costello in form, shooting 0-3 from play, they undermined themselves with a sequence of poor wides before Armagh found their shooting boots.
Three two-pointers, two – one free – from Rory Grugan and the other a long-distance strike by Rian O’Neill, which nearly raised the roof, wrested control of the match.
More efficient in both creating chances and executing, the Ulster finalists were assisted by a rout of Stephen Cluxton’s kick-outs, as Dublin struggled to get out of their own half. Crowd just announced at 38,763.
Half-time: Monaghan 0-7 Clare 0-14: It’s been quite a turnaround in Clones, with Clare leading the home team by double scores at half-time.
HALF-TIME: Dublin 0-9 Armagh 0-13: Dublin hold possession past the hooter but can’t convert into a score, so it remains a four-point game at the break.
Dublin 0-9 Armagh 0-13: Armagh are killing the Dublin kick-outs, the nimble Oisin Conaty blasting through for his second point of the afternoon on 30 minutes. Armagh are lording possession now too, but Dublin do manage to get an attacking move in motion, resulting in a free for Costello. He converts himself and Dublin are back within four after 33 minutes his fifth score of the match.
Dublin 0-8 Armagh 0-12: Wow, Rian O’Niall hits a wonderful two-pointer, proving class in absolutely permanent, and Conor Turbitt then strikes one from play, and with that Armagh are up by four points after 28 minutes.
Dublin 0-8 Armagh 0-9: Stephen Cluxton makes another big save for Dublin after 24 minutes, but Armagh are in front two minutes later, Grugan hitting another two-point free.
“I’m delighted we got out with a point”.
Some reaction from Padraic Joyce after Galway’s fightback against Derry
Dublin 0-8 Armagh 0-6: Paddy Smalls wins a free in front of Hill 16, Costello converts and Dublin are back up by two after 22 minutes.
Some highlights here of that crazy game in Celtic Park earlier ...
Dublin 0-6 Armagh 0-6: Level again in Croke Park, Armagh showing greater accuracy in front of goal, Jarly Og Burns scoring from play after 18 minutes. Stephen Cluxton makes a big save moments later, the 45 kicked by Ethan Rafferty and coming off the upright.
Monaghan 0-4 Clare 0-1: A Michael Bannigan point after 11 minutes has Monaghan up by three in Clones.
Dublin 0-6 Armagh 0-3: After another quick exchange of points, Costello strikes again from the other side, and Dublin are up by three after 11 minutes.
Dublin 0-4 Armagh 0-2: Cormac Costello strikes a second for Dublin from a tough left angle, and Dublin have their noses back in front after eight minutes. Paddy Small then extends the lead to two.
Dublin 0-1 Armagh 0-1: Underway at a sunny Croke Park (for now), and Sean Buglar opens the scoring for Dublin after a minute. Armagh move the ball down the field, and Rory Grugan ties it up with a free.
That late goal which likely kept alive Galway’s championship ...
Everything you need to know about the Tailteann Cup after round three -
Sean Moran has some team news from Croke Park ahead of Dublin-Armagh -
At Croke Park, Friday’s announcement that Con O’Callaghan would be missing from Dublin’s match-day panel turned out – counter-intuitively – to be true. Those awaiting the message from the dressing-room that Dessie Farell had added his captain’s name to the 26 went uncontacted.
There are two changes to the listed starting 15. Former All Star Niall Scully comes in for Tom Lahiff and Paddy Small replaces Brian O’Leary in the forwards. There are no changes to the announced Armagh team for this first championship meeting of the counties in 15 years.
This will be the sixth time they have played in the All-Ireland stages and Dublin lead 3-2. Four of the previous matches, 2010, 2003, 2002 and 1977 have been played in Croke Park – the only exception being the 1902 All-Ireland semi-final, played in 1904 in Drogheda.
Full-time: Cavan 1-13 Donegal 3-26: Well that’s as convincing as it gets, Caolan McGolgan scoring a third goal for Donegal at the death to put their All-Ireland challenge right back on track.
Full-time: Derry 2-20 Galway 4-14: Wow, a goalmouth scramble sees Tierney rattle the Derry net, and somehow Galway are back in front on 69 minutes. Derry have one last chance to level, and do exactly that, a close range point by Conor Doherty leaving the sides level.
Derry 2-18 Galway 3-13: Another point by the towering Cein Darcy brings Galway back to two, before Galway win a free, after Derry only leave two players up. Tierney mis-hits though, and Derry are still two up on 64 minutes.
GOAL! Derry 2-18 Galway 3-12: Into the last 10 minutes at Celtic Park and just after Lachlan Murray strikes again for Derry, Galway hit back with a goal finished by Matthew Tierney, a massive score when they needed it badly. It’s a three-point game on 62 minutes.
Cavan 1-10 Donegal 1-20: Donegal are cruising now, a free from Ciarán Thompson 18 minutes into the second half giving them a 10-point advantage.
Cavan 1-9 Donegal 1-16: Cavan certainly haven’t given up the chase on Donegal, Gerard Smith scoring from play, before Conor O’Connell hits one for Donegal, 14 minutes into the second half.
GOAL! Derry 2-15 Galway 2-7: Niall Loughlin scores from close range on 49 minutes and Derry are now motoring. Galway have a battle for sure, Damien Comer coming off the bench to help raise from response.
Derry 1-14 Galway 2-7: After 46 minutes Derry are starting to open some breathing space, two fine scores coming from Glass and Loughlin.
Cavan: 1-5 Donegal 1-13: Two minutes into the second half and Donegal are up by double scores, thanks to a free from Michael Murphy.
Derry 1-11 Galway 2-7: The rain has started again at Celtic Park, and Galway strike first in the second half through John Maher, scoring from close range after 41 minutes. The gap is down to one.
A half-time update from Gordon Manning at Breffni Park -
HALF-TIME: Donegal 1-12 Cavan 1-5
Plenty of fireworks in Breffni during a lively first half in which six yellow cards were flashed – including one for Jim McGuinness and one for a backroom member of the Cavan management.
There was high tension at the half-time whistle too as tempers threatened to boil over after Donegal netted a goal with the last play of the half. Donegal turned over Cavan and in a blistering counterattack the move finished with Paddy McBrearty feeding Finbarr Roarty for the green-flag score.
It’s a big score in the context of the game because Donegal – playing with the aid of the wind – had been highly frustrated by some of the officiating decisions and a four-point difference at the interval possibly would have left Cavan right in the mix. However, that late goal changes the complexion here and should Donegal add a couple of early scores at the start of the second half you’d fancy them to see this game out.
HALF-TIME: Cavan 1-5 Donegal: 1-12: A Donegal goal just before the break by defender Finbbarr Roarty has given them a comfortable lead at half-time. It could be a long way back for Cavan.
HALF-TIME: Derry 1-11 Galway 2-6: Well that was a little more entertaining than expected, Derry bringing a real fight to Galway, as they needed to. Three goals and five yellow cards, with the promise of more to come.
Derry 1-11 Galway 2-6: Derry respond to the Galway goal with three points without reply, including another free by McGuigan, before Niall Loughlin hits an excellent point on 33 minutes. Thompson gets one back for Galway moments later.
Cavan 1-5 Donegal 0-9: Conor O’Donnell pops one over for Donegal after 27 minutes to keep them in front, but Cavan are sticking to the task.
Derry 1-8 Galway 2-5: It’s turning into quite the championship battle at Celtic Park, Galway levelling it up against after 27 minutes, Matthew Thompson scoring from close range. Meanwhile the yellow card count is up to five.
Cavan 1-2 Donegal 0-7: An impressive goal by Brían O’Connell brings Cavan into the Cavan, but Donegal are keeping their noses in front, a point from a 45 by Michael Murphy after 18 minutes.
GOAL! Derry 1-8 Galway 2-3: The sun has come out at Celtic Park and Derry are soaring, Shane McGuigan converting a free to move them ahead by six, before on 22 minutes, Galway strike back with 1-1, Shane Walsh producing a trademark clinical finish with the goal.
GOALS! Derry 1-5 Galway 1-2: It wasn’t pretty but it will count, Shane Walsh starting the move after 13 minutes for the Galway goal that was finished by Rob Finnerty. From the kick-out, Derry charge down the field and only had one thing on their mind, the move finished by Conor Glass. The rain has stopped and the momentum is building for Derry, Paul Cassidy adding a point from play.
Cavan 0-1 Donegal 0-3: A point from play by Peadar Mogan and another by Shane O’Donnell has Donegal two up after five minutes.
Derry 0-3 Galway 0-2: Paul Conroy shows his class once again, scoring from play despite slipping to the ground in the process, after nine minutes. But Derry are definitely up for this game, Shane McGuigan promptly replying to edge Derry back in front.
Cavan 0-1 Donegal 0-1: They are level at Breffni Park, a point from play by Shane O’Donnell after two minutes.
Derry 0-2 Galway 0-1: Brendan Rogers bring Derry to life with an excellent two pointer after four minutes, warming the home crowd nicely.
Derry 0-0 Galway 0-1: Sam O’Neill opens the scoring for Galway after two minutes, in what is his first championship start. At a rainy Celtic Park, the conditions are not making for pretty football so far, but very much early days.
One late for Galwayt. Number 21 Sam O’Neill comes into the starting 15 in place of number 11 Cillian McDaid. Number 26 is now worn by Damien Comer.
There is plenty to play for in round three of the Tailteann Cup. Here’s how Malachy Clerkin is predicting things -
Group One
Kildare v Sligo, Dr Hyde Park
Sligo are nobody’s mugs and drew this fixture in the 2023 Tailteann Cup. Both these teams will progress so it might take a slight edge off. With Daniel Flynn back firing, Kildare could have a class edge. But not by much. Verdict: Kildare
Leitrim v Tipperary, Mullingar
Still something to play for here – a Tipperary win will likely earn them a spot in the next round. Leitrim’s points difference leaves them with more of an uphill struggle and they haven’t won a game since May 2024 so they can be forgiven for just wanting the season over. Verdict: Tipperary
Group Three
Antrim v London, Newry
This has really turned into a rotten season for Antrim. Relegation from Division Three has been followed by a championship in which they’ve been conceding cricket scores. Even this fixture is a bit forlorn – both teams have such a lead weight points difference that a win most likely won’t buy them passage to the knock-out stage. Might favour London, oddly. Verdict: London
Group Four
Carlow v Longford, O’Connor Park
Joe Murphy has performed quite the exorcism in Carlow, going unbeaten against Wexford (Division Four champions) and Fermanagh (finished a point off promotion in Division Three). They should have enough to put Longford away and will probably top the group. Nobody saw that coming when Shane Curran walked in late March. Verdict: Carlow
Fermanagh v Wexford, Croke Park
Crunch tie of the day in the Tailteann Cup. Fermanagh came so close to beating Down in Ulster that most presumed they’d breeze through the early stages of the Tailteann but Carlow nipped them in a stone-cold classic. Wexford were four up going into injury-time against Carlow the last day but gave up a goal and point at the death. In four meetings between the teams, Fermanagh haven’t been beaten. This is no time to be making history. Verdict: Fermanagh
Without further ado, here’s the first live update of the afternoon from our man Gordon Manning at Cavan v Donegal –
Good afternoon from a showery Breffni Park in Cavan. The sun is currently out but there have been several showers here over the last two hours so playing conditions will likely be greasy early on.
In team details, the big news is the absence of Shaun Patton. The Donegal number one misses out through injury and will be replaced by Gavin Mulreany between the posts. It is one of three Donegal changes – Caolan McColgan and Conor O’Donnell also start while Dáire Ó Baoill and Oisín Gallen drop out.
Cavan makes two changes – Cian Madden and Seán McEvoy both come in while Jason McLoughlin and Ryan O’Neil drop out.
Cavan beat Mayo in their opening game last weekend while Donegal lost to Tyrone. Given last night’s victory for Mayo over Tyrone, a win for Donegal here would leave all teams on two points entering the last round of games.
It could prove to be a sort of football moving day in the All-Ireland series, where all four games will greatly influence the tables. Here are the match previews from Malachy Clerkin -
Group Four
Derry v Galway, Celtic Park, 2pm
Not exactly a loser-goes-home game but not a million miles off it. Whoever is beaten here will still have a chance to escape deep water in a fortnight but it’s a long, long way to the surface. The return of Odhran Lynch and Lachlan Murray give Derry some hope – god knows they need it.
They won’t find much encouragement from their home record anyway – they haven’t won a championship match in Celtic Park since June 7th 2015, a decade ago almost to the day. Not a lot of succour in their history against Galway either – in five championship meetings down the years, they’ve lost every game.
Galway look to have evolved past their dependence on having both Shane Walsh and Damien Comer available at the same time, which can only be a good thing. A team with their pretensions can’t afford a defeat here. Verdict: Galway
Dublin v Armagh, Croke Park, 4pm
The only game of the weekend between two first-round winners. It’s first time that Dublin have faced a proper All-Ireland contender in Croke Park in a group game in either the old Super 8s or the current format, so there should be some electricity.
The absence of Con O’Callaghan is a killer for Dublin, who don’t have a replacement. That said, they will be heartened to see Lee Gannon back after they feared his season was done. Armagh have a deeper squad and a cleaner bill of health. Should be enough. Verdict: Armagh
Group One
Cavan v Donegal, Kingspan Breffni, 2pm
Interesting to see what sort of reaction Donegal bring here, having thrown away a good position after a very patchy display against Tyrone. Cavan surprised everyone by tearing Mayo to shreds so Jim McGuinness’s side will be well-warned. Shaun Patton’s importance can rarely have been better advertised than last Saturday night so the sooner Donegal have him back taking kickouts the better. They should probably be too strong for Cavan but then we said that about Mayo too. Verdict: Donegal
Group Three
Monaghan v Clare, Clones, 4pm
Monaghan have been impressive, putting Louth away for more comfortably than the scoreline suggested last weekend. They will surely have plenty in hand against a Clare team that couldn’t get out of Division Three and have lost by 11 and 17 in their last two games. Verdict: Monaghan
Good afternoon, and welcome to The Irish Times live GAA blog for what is another big afternoon of football in the All-Ireland series, the headline second round game being the meeting of 2024 champions Armagh and 2023 champions Dublin in Croke Park at 4pm.
There are four All-Ireland series games in all, Derry also taking on Galway in Celtic Park at 2pm, a critical game for both teams given they lost their opening game.
Cavan will also host Donegal at Kingspan Breffni Park at 2pm, with Jim McGuinness looking to regain his winning touch after Donegal fell to Tyrone in round one. The in-form Monaghan will also Clare in Clones at 4pm.
There are also five games in the third round of the Tailteann Cup. Leitrim play Tipperary in Mullingar, Kildare face Sligo in Dr Hyde, Carlow play Longford in O’Connor Park, Fermanagh play Wexford in Croke Park, and Antrim play London in Newry.
