Gaelic Games

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Donegal manager Jim McGuinness says he is "delighted" to have the Ulster county's former captain Michael Murphy at his disposal after the five-time All Star recently ended his inter-county retirement.

The 35-year-old Glenswilly man had called time on playing county football in November 2022 but has opted to make himself available again.

"We're delighted to have him back. Great in terms of what he brings on the pitch but also off the pitch as well," explained McGuinness in an interview with Donegal TV at a Donegal Association event at the Hilton Wembley.

"[He's] a person I know very well and understand very well, an incredibly high football IQ, so absolutely delighted Michael has made that decision and looking forward to working with him next year."

"Hopefully it’s going to be a very important part of 2025."

In his first season of his second spell as Donegal boss, McGuinness guided his charges to an Ulster SFC success, before bowing out to Galway at the semi-final stage of the All-Ireland Championship.

"We’ll be welcoming other players [as well as Murphy] into the fold for 2025 as well, so we’re excited about that.

"We want to try and build now and keep developing, keep growing as a group and see where it takes us."

The 52-year-old is now well focused on preparations for 2025.

"You want to try and bring in new ideas every year, looking at new things, being open to what can improve us.

"For me this is the most enjoyable time of the year because you have a chance to reflect on where we are at, whereas when the season starts it’s chaotic and you’re chasing your tail most of the time."

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Kilcoo manager Karl Lacey says his players were "in the right place at the right time" to score five goals in their Ulster Club SFC semi-final win over Scotstown.

The Down champions hit four goals in eight minutes either side of half-time on their way to a 5-10 to 0-14 victory at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday night.

"In the first half we had an opportunity [for a goal] but didn't take it and then we missed the free from it - it felt like it was going to be one of those nights where we weren't going to get the goal," said Lacey.

"But things opened up, it was man-to-man football, there were gaps and we exploited them well. On days you get goals, on others you don't but tonight we were in the right place at the right time so happy days.

"We played a good Crosserlough team two weeks ago and a good Scotstown team tonight so we're happy to get over the line."

The 2022 All-Ireland champions will face the winners of Sunday's second semi-final between Clann Eireann and Errigal Ciaran in the 8 December decider.

Kilcoo avenged last year's quarter-final defeat by Scotstown when the Monaghan men won thanks to a last-gasp point from Rory Beggan.

"Scotstown are a good side and maybe they got a taste of our medicine from last year," added Lacey.

"We've worked hard and I'm really happy to get individuals back at the right time.

"We're just happy to be in the final and we now have a busy two weeks ahead of us."

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We've really arrived at the business end of the Ulster Club Football Championship at this weekend's semi-finals stage with the remaining four hopefuls all looking genuine contenders to lift the title.

Kilcoo's clash with Scotstown at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday evening (18:00 GMT) is a repeat of last year's quarter-final when Rory Beggan's last-gasp long-range free secured a dramatic one-point win for the Monaghan champions.

Scotstown had 13 points to spare over Erne Gaels a week ago while 2022 All-Ireland champions Kilcoo needed Conor Laverty's late introduction to help them edge out Crosserlough seven days earlier.

Kilcoo are not dramatically different to their All-Ireland winning side but Scotstown are laden with Monaghan players past and present including key forward Jack McCarron, Beggan, Ryan O'Toole, Conor McCarthy, Shane McCarey and the Hughes brothers Darren and Kieran.

Clann Eireann's contest with Errigal Ciaran on Sunday in Newry (15:15 GMT) also has all the makings of a titanic tussle as the Armagh champions' three All-Ireland Final starters Conor Turbitt, Barry McCambridge and Tiernan Kelly go toe-to-toe with the Canavan brothers Darragh and Ruairi plus the likes of Peter Harte and Joe Oguz.

Errigal Ciaran looked mightily impressing in easily overcoming a Cargin side that proved tough opponents for back-to-back Ulster Champions Glen over the previous two campaigns.

In contrast, Clann Eireann had to come from beyond in the second half to defeat Glen's Derry Final conquerors Newbridge, with the Lurgan men progressing even though McCambridge and Kelly were relatively subdued by their recent high standards.

Turbitt, McCambridge and Kelly will all be involved after returning on Thursday morning from Armagh's team holiday in Miami.

Victory for Clann Eireann would keep the Lurgan outfit on course to become the first club ever to win both the men's and women's Ulster football titles in the same year.

ULSTER CLUB FOOTBALL SEMI-FINALS

Saturday

Kilcoo v Scotstown, Athletic Grounds, 18:00 GMT

Sunday

Clann Eireann v Errigal Ciaran, Pairc Esler, 15:15

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Armagh will begin the defence of their Ladies National Football League Division One title with an away contest against All-Ireland champions Kerry on 25 January.

Armagh beat Kerry 2-12 to 2-9 in this season's Division One final in early April but the Kingdom avenged that defeat by earning a 1-8 to 0-7 win in the All-Ireland semi-final in July when key forward Aimee Mackin was an absentee for the Orchard County.

After earning promotion this year, Tyrone will open their Division One campaign by hosting Meath on 26 January.

The Division One meeting of Armagh and Tyrone will take place in round two.

After suffering relegation this year, Donegal's Division Two opener will be away to Clare on 26 January.

Donegal's Division Two opponents will include this year's beaten All-Ireland Finalists Galway, Cork and Monaghan.

Following their relegation from Division Two this year, Cavan will compete in a Division Three that also includes Down while Antrim, Derry and Fermanagh will be among the Division Four hopefuls.

All four divisions will have eight teams with the top two in all bar Division Four meeting in the respective finals.

Division Four semi-finals will take place on 30 March with the Divisions One and Two finals at Croke Park on 12 April and the Divisions Three and Four deciders taking place the following day.

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Seven-time All-Ireland winner Brian Fenton has called time on his Dublin career.

The 31-year-old has had a glittering inter-county career after making his debut in 2015 and is widely regarded as one of the game's greatest ever midfielders.

He was part of the Dubs side that won the Sam Maguire six years in a row between 2015-2020 and went unbeaten for a record 45 championship games.

Fenton also collected 10 Leinster Senior Championship medals and retires having never lost a game in the competition.

The midfielder picked up four National Football League titles too and was twice named Footballer of the Year in 2018 and 2020 as well as winning six All-Stars.

His last game for Dublin proved to be the All-Ireland quarter-final loss against Galway in July.

Dublin County Board Chairperson Michael Seavers said in a statement on Fenton's retirement: "Brian was an integral figure in the incredible success enjoyed by Dublin over the past decade.

"He is a hugely talented footballer and fan favourite who will forever be considered one of the greatest players to grace the field in a blue jersey.

"We thank Brian for his unwavering commitment to Dublin football."

Fenton's retirement follows James McCarthy's decision to step away from Dessie Farrell's panel ahead of the 2025 season earlier this month.

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Derry's Brendan Rogers says the Oak Leaf players are "very happy" with Paddy Tally's appointment as senior football manager.

Tally was last week confirmed as Mickey Harte's replacement, bringing to an end the county's four-month search for a new boss.

"We're very happy in Paddy," Rogers said, speaking after helping Slaughtneil reach the Ulster Club hurling final with a thrilling victory over Cushendall on Saturday.

"Maybe when it [the search] went on a bit people were saying 'get somebody, get somebody' but no.

"Full credit to the [county] committee they'd went in and sourced Paddy. They went after people they knew were high quality. Paddy's high quality.

"He's coached in four All-Ireland finals, won two of them ands played in an All-Ireland final in '95 with Tyrone and he's won a Sigerson [Cup] as a manager so it's brilliant to have someone of that quality about."

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Three Armagh players have won their first Ladies Football All-Stars after an impressive season for the Orchard county.

Defenders Grace Ferguson and Lauren McConville, as well as forward Aoife McCoy, have been recognised for their roles in Armagh's National League Division One triumph and run to the All-Ireland semi-finals.

Armagh had earned eight nominations but Anna Carr, Clodagh McCambridge, Cait Towe, Caroline O'Hanlon and Blaithin Mackin did not make the final 15.

All-Ireland champions Kerry topped the All-Stars with seven: goalkeeper Ciara Butler, defenders Kayleigh Cronin and Aishling O’Connell, midfielder Anna Galvin, and forward trio Niamh Carmody, Danielle O’Leary and Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh.

Beaten All-Ireland finalists Galway earned four All-Stars - Kate Geraghty, Nicola Ward, Ailbhe Davoren and Olivia Divilly - while Cork's Katie Quirke is included at full-forward.

Galway defender Nicola Ward also won player of the year, holding Kerry’s Kayleigh Cronin and Armagh captain McConville.

Leitrim’s Michelle Guckian won intermediate player of the year while Fermanagh’s Eimear Smyth claimed the junior award.

Ladies Football All-Stars 2024: Ciara Butler (Kerry); Grace Ferguson (Armagh), Kayleigh Cronin (Kerry), Kate Geraghty (Galway); Aishling O’Connell (Kerry), Nicola Ward (Galway), Lauren McConville (Armagh); Anna Galvin (Kerry), Ailbhe Davoren (Galway); Niamh Carmody (Kerry), Aoife McCoy (Armagh), Olivia Divilly (Galway); Danielle O’Leary (Kerry), Katie Quirke (Cork), Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh (Kerry).

New Antrim hurling boss Davy Fitzgerald said he hopes to discuss an inter-county return with 36-year-old forward Neil McManus after watching the Cushendall man star for his club in an epic Ulster Club Hurling Championship semi-final defeat to Slaughtneil on Saturday.

Read the report of the game here.

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Antrim hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald says Darren Gleeson is a "fighter" after the former Saffrons boss announced his cancer diagnosis.

Gleeson announced on Saturday that he had to step down as Laois manager to "undergo treatment for cancer.

The 43-year-old left his role as Antrim manager in July after five years in charge and was ratified as Laois boss the following month.

"I know Darren pretty well. He has an illness, but he's a fighter," said his Antrim successor Fitzgerald.

"I absolutely know that Darren will buckle down and do whatever he needs to do.

"Darren will fight like anything, and I'm sure we'll see Darren back on the sideline in the future because that's the type of guy that he is."

'My heart goes out to him'

Gleeson is a former Tipperary goalkeeper and won two All-Ireland titles and six Munster Championships as a player.

He said the cancer was diagnosed following "a recent accident in which my upper arm was broken unexpectedly".

"It is essential, based on the medical advice I have received, that I fully focus in the months ahead on my treatment and recovery," he added.

"Unfortunately, it is therefore not possible to continue the busy and responsible role of being an inter-county manager."

Neil McManus, who captained the Saffrons under Gleeson , said "everyone in Antrim wishes Darren the absolute best".

Gleeson guided the Ulster county to the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2020 and 2022 and also helped the Saffrons to promotion to the top tier of hurling by winning Division Two in 2020.

"It is a horrific time for him and his family, and I just wish him a speedy recovery", McManus added.

"What he gave to Antrim GAA was massive, it really was. Probably only the people who were inside his dressing room will understand that fully.

"My heart goes out to Darren and his family, and we wish him a very speedy recovery."

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Slaughtneil forward Brendan Rogers says the Derry champions needed to be at their best to beat Cushendall in a thrilling Ulster Club SHC semi-final on Saturday night.

The game at the Athletic Grounds went to extra-time before Slaughtneil secured a 1-36 to 3-25 victory.

"You know what you get with Cushendall - a battle every time, good hurling, it's physical and you have to be at your best to beat them," said Rogers, who was named man-of-the-match.

"We had a lot of scores. When you score 37 times and it's still tight at the end of the game you know you're in a battle and that's full credit to Cushendall."

Slaughtneil led by three points in the dying seconds but Neil McManus bagged his third goal to send the match into extra-time.

The Derry men held their nerve and moved clear to earn to a five-point success over the holders.

It was a victory which came after a series of disappointments at the hands of the Antrim team.

"For this group, maybe because we haven't beaten Cushendall in the Ulster Championship - we've played them about four times and had extra-time twice.

"So I suppose for this group to get over that line was one we had to do and we only set our sights on winning the game."