Gaelic Games

Image source, Thomas Niblock

The GAA Social podcast's summer break is on hold as Seamus Birt joins Thomas and Oisin on his 61st birthday to discuss living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Birt won Derry football titles as a player and manager, while delivering an Ulster Championship as manager of the Wolfe Tones club, but his life took a turn one year ago with his diagnosis.

The condition affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord which tell your muscles what to do and it is estimated there are 450 people living with the incurable condition in Ireland at any time.

The physical demands of Birt's work as an engineer ensured he retained his fitness long after his playing days on the football field were over, but in early 2023 he noticed changes in his body with spasms and cramps, as well as lacking power in his legs.

Initially explained by doctors as fatigue, Birt's condition failed to improve upon his return from a trip to Australia to visit his son in late 2023, and a visit to a private clinic resulted in an initial diagnosis of MND that was later confirmed following a round of tests

"When I was first diagnosed, the first person I thought about was Anto Finnegan because I played against him and we had a tight call with St Paul's all the time," Birt said of the day he was diagnosed.

Those with MND are given on average four years to live but former Antrim captain Finnegan died nine years after his diagnosis.

Despite his condition, he lived life with a smile on his face and Birt intends to do the same.

On Saturday, Seamus and his family will host a big breakfast and 5K walk and fun run at Bellaghy GAC before they take part in a skydive with the funds raised going to charity.

"You've two choices - get up and get on with it or lie down," he tells the podcast.

"I'm sure I've had it two years but it hasn't affected me too bad yet. I'm 61, had a good life and enjoyed everything. Whatever turn it takes for me, I'll be ready for it."

You can download and listen to the GAA Social on BBC Sounds here

Image source, Inpho

Dermot McCabe has been appointed as the new Cavan senior football boss on a three-year term, whilst Andy Moran is set to take over as Mayo manager.

McCabe, who won an Ulster Senior Football title and an All-Star as a Cavan player in 1997, leaves his role as Westmeath manager to take up the position with his native county.

He was previously part of the Cavan minor management and the senior backroom staff when the Breffni County won the Ulster Championship in 2020.

The Gowna club man succeeds Raymond Galligan, who stepped down in July after two years at the helm following Cavan's All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final exit to Kerry.

Mayo have announced that they are seeking the ratification of Moran to take over at the next meeting of the county's board.

Former Derry boss Paddy Tally and ex-Mayo player Colm Boyle are set to form part of Moran's management ticket.

The 41-year-old enjoyed a decorated inter-county career as a player with Mayo, winning eight Connacht titles, two All-Stars and being crowned Footballer of the Year in 2017.

Since retirement, Moran has had a spell as Leitrim boss, guiding the county to promotion from Division Four in 2023 and also held a coaching role with Monaghan under Gabriel Bannigan as the Farney men reached the quarter-finals of the All-Ireland this year.

Moran will take over from Kevin McStay, whose three-year reign as boss ended after Mayo exited the All-Ireland at the group stage.

Image source, Inpho

Slaughtneil boss Mark Doran has emerged a candidate for the Antrim senior football manager's job.

The Saffrons have yet to appoint a successor to Andy McEntee, whose three-year term ended following the Tailteann Cup defeat against Wexford in June, with an invitation for applications sent out in July.

Longstone native Doran was linked to the Derry job last year following the departure of Mickey Harte but instead took up a coaching role with Roscommon under manager Davy Burke, who has since departed.

Doran previously held a coaching role with his native Down between 2019 and 2021, whilst helping guide Ballybay to the 2022 Monaghan title as co-manager.

He has also held coaching roles in Clare and Wicklow before the switch to the Rossies in 2025.

He stepped down as Slaughtneil manager following their Derry SFC semi-final defeat to Glen last year but was reappointed in March.

Interviews for the Antrim job are due to take place on Monday evening with Louth's Colin Kelly also in the running.

Kelly managed his home county to successive promotions from Division Four and Division Three in 2016 and 2017 before spells with Westmeath, Wicklow and most recently, Cavan club side Kingscourt Stars.

Also in the frame is former St Brigid's manager Anthony McGrath, who was a coach under Stephen Poacher in Leitrim this year, while Barry Dillon, who led Ulster University to the 2024 Sigerson Cup, has also been nominated.

Paddy Bradley had been linked to the role, but last week it emerged he had withdrawn from the race.

Image source, Inpho

Armagh were beaten in the Camogie All-Ireland Junior final as they suffered a 2-15 to 0-12 defeat against Laois at Croke Park.

The Leinster side made a dream start to the showpiece occasion as Grainne Delaney drilled home a goal inside the first minute.

A block from Gemma McCann prevented Aimee Collier from scoring another moments later as Laois eventually moved four points ahead.

The Orchard County responded well after a shaky start to level, and the game was end-to-end from that point on with Eimear Hassett hitting the post as she attempted to score Laois' second goal.

The sides went in level at the break, with Armagh then edging two points ahead early in the second half, but Laois came roaring back.

They proved too strong as they outscored Armagh 1-10 to 0-2 in a strong final quarter display with Amy Daly scoring their second goal.

In the All-Ireland Senior final, Galway claimed a fifth title with a narrow 1-14 to 1-13 victory against Cork.

Carrie Dolan scored the winner with a free in injury-time as they avenged last year's defeat by the same opponents.

In the All-Ireland Intermediate final, Offaly edged past Kerry 0-14 to 0-11 after a tense and tight affair in Dublin.

Image source, Inpho

Dublin have confirmed the appointment of All-Ireland winner Ger Brennan as manager.

Brennan replaces Dessie Farrell, who left his role after Dublin's All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Tyrone.

A two-time All-Ireland winner as a player with Dublin, Brennan led Louth to a first Leinster Championship title in 68 years in June with victory over Meath.

Louth's 2025 season ultimately ended with a 2-22 to 0-12 defeat by Donegal in Ballybofey at the preliminary quarter-final stage on 22 June.

He left his role with Louth in July and Brennan has now been appointed as Dublin manager on a three-year deal.

"Ger has achieved the highest honours as a player with Dublin and he has our full support in leading the Dublin Senior Football panel in pursuit of further honours in the coming years," said county chairman Ken O'Sullivan.

"We wish Ger, his team and the panel the very best and look forward to the 2026 season".

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Tyrone boss Darren McCann praised his side's "heart and determination" in Sunday's All-Ireland Ladies Intermediate final victory over Laois.

The Red Hands captured their first title since 2018 with a 2-16 to 1-13 victory at Croke Park

Aoife Horisk and substitute Katie Rose Muldoon scored goals in either half to help the Red Hands avenge last year's agonising one-point decider defeat by Leitrim, much to McCann's delight.

"On the sideline, we felt totally in control," he said.

"We were creating chances but we just weren't taking them, which was frustrating for us.

"When we play relaxed football, we are a hard team to stop and we played relaxed football, especially in the second half.

"The whole group have serious heart and determination as a collective and that was a collective performance. I was really happy with their performance today and the key thing was getting on top and staying on top."

Image source, Inpho

But while Tyrone toasted an immensely satisfying triumph, Antrim were left disappointed after being edged out by Louth in the Junior decider.

The Saffrons started strongly, scoring an early goal, but Louth fought back to eventually win 0-13 to 1-8 and deny the Ulster county their fourth title at the grade - and first since 2022.

For joint manager Chris Scullion, it was a case of Antrim not taking their chances in the second half.

"It just didn't fall our way today. It seemed to be mistake after mistake sometimes and we were constantly trying to regroup the girls to go again, go again," said Scullion, who leads the team alongside Michael Devlin.

"It maybe took a toll on them, but I'm not taking anything away from Louth. Louth were brilliant today. They set up defensively, kept their same structure and they were able to break out and it caused us problems.

"They were able to work the ball around and get their scores. Fair play to them."

Image source, Inpho

A dominant first-half display paved the way for Dublin to regain the All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football title with a 2-16 to 0-10 win over Meath in Sunday's final at Croke Park.

The Dubs, who were knocked out in last year's quarter-finals, started with intent and led 1-2 to 0-0 after seven minutes, with Nicole Owens finding the net after a couple of early Hannah Tyrrell scores.

Niamh Hetherton also plundered a three-pointer to give Dublin a commanding 2-9 to 0-4 lead at half-time.

Meath - who are managed by former Armagh boss Shane McCormack - started the second half strongly with a trio of scores, but were unable to get close enough to their Leinster rivals to set up a tense climax to the game.

It is more disappointment for the Royals, who were searching for their third title after breaking through with back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022.

The result also completes a clean sweep of wins for Dublin over Meath in 2025 after victory in the league meeting and two Leinster Championship fixtures, including the final.

In front of a 48,089-strong crowd, former Ireland rugby international Tyrrell top-scored for Dublin with 0-5 in the final game of her inter-county career before hobbling off with an injury late on.

Captain Carla Rowe and corner-forward Kate Sullivan struck 0-4 each for Dublin, who gained a measure of revenge after falling to a surprise defeat by Meath in the 2021 decider.

Emma Duggan led the way for Meath with 0-7.

Dublin scorers: H Tyrrell 0-5 (3f), C Rowe 0-4 (2f), K Sullivan 0-4, N Hetherton 1-1, N Owens 1-0, N Crowley, O Nolan 0-1 each.

Meath scorers: E Duggan 0-7 (6f), A Cleary, C Smyth, V Wall 0-1 each.

Dublin: A Shiels; J Tobin, L Caffrey, N Donlon; S Goldrick, M Byrne, N Crowley; E O'Dowd, H McGinnis; N Owens, C Rowe, O Nolan; H Tyrrell, N Hetherton, K Sullivan.

Subs: S McIntyre for Owens (49), A Kane for McGinnis (51), H Leahy for Donlon (54), L Grendon for Tyrrell (55), C Darby for Sullivan (57).

Meath: R Murray; K Kealy, MK Lynch, A Sheridan; S Ennis, S Wall, A Cleary; O Sheehy, M Farrelly; M Thynne, N Gallogly, C Smyth; E Duggan, V Wall, K Cole.

Subs: K Bermingham for Farrelly (25), Farrelly for Ennis, E Moyles for Sheehy (both 42), N McEntee for Cole (49), C Lawlor for Kealy (51).

Referee: Gus Chapman (Sligo).

Image source, Inpho

Tyrone captured their first All-Ireland Ladies Intermediate Football title since 2018 with a 2-16 to 1-13 victory over Laois in Sunday's final at Croke Park.

Aoife Horisk and Katie Rose Muldoon scored goals in either half to help the Red Hands avenge last year's agonising one-point decider defeat by Leitrim.

Niamh O'Neill top scored for Tyrone with 0-7, while Horisk finished with 1-3.

In a tight first half, Laois struck the first goal after 22 minutes when Shifra Havill emphatically fired the ball into the roof of Amelia Coyle's net.

Tyrone were initially frustrated in their hunt for goals, being denied first by Laois corner-back Faye McEvoy's goal-line clearance before Sorcha Gormley was denied from the penalty spot after Horisk was fouled.

But after Laois carelessly gifted possession back to the Ulster side, player of the match Gormley teed up Horisk, who drilled a low shot past Eimear Barry to help give Tyrone a 1-7 to 1-5 half-time lead.

Laois kept in touch after the restart with a couple of Mo Nerney points and Fiona Dooley's score, O'Neill and Horisk ensured Tyrone kept a slender advantage.

The Leinster side's hopes of overturning the deficit in the closing stages were dented when Ciara Crowley's yellow card was followed by an O'Neill free.

Tyrone were a point up when Muldoon delivered the decisive blow, finishing low to the net from close range with six minutes remaining.

Having established a more comfortable cushion, O'Neill, Gormley and captain Aoibhinn McHugh sealed a six-point win and a place in the 2026 senior championship for Tyrone.

Tyrone scorers: N O'Neill 0-7 (3f), A Horisk 1-3 (0-1f), S Gormley 0-3, K Muldoon 1-0, A McHugh, S McCarroll, C McCrossan 0-1 each.

Laois scorers: E Lawlor (3f), M Nerney (3f) 0-5 each, S Havill 1-0, F Dooley, J Moore, E Lacey 0-1 each.

Tyrone: A Coyle; J Lyons, G McKenna, E Quinn; C Campbell, M Mallon, C Canavan; A McHugh, S McCarroll; E McNamee, S Gormley, A Horisk; N O'Neill, C McCrossan, M Corrigan.

Subs: E McCanny for McCrossan (36), K Muldoon for McNamee (45), A McGahan for Campbell (53), C McCaffrey for O'Neill (58), J Barrett for Horisk (59).

Laois: E Barry; S Farrelly, C Dunne, F McEvoy; A Gorman, A Moore, A Moran; F Dooley, J Moore; S Havill, E Galvin, C Crowley; E Lacey, E Lawlor, M Nerney.

Subs: L Kearney for Gorman (39), M Cotter for McEvoy (45), K Donoghue for Lacey (47), A Fitzpatrick for Havill (56).

Referee: Shane Curley (Galway).

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Antrim were denied a first All-Ireland Junior Football Championship since 2022 after losing to Louth by 0-13 to 1-8 at Croke Park.

Bronagh Devlin netted a third-minute penalty for the Saffrons after Theresa Mellon was fouled within the square.

Aoife Russell cancelled out another swift point by Mellon, but Antrim extended their advantage through Omolara Dahunsi.

Dahunsi responded to back-to-back points from Louth forwards Russell and Ceire Nolan, and the Saffrons' advantage was cut further after Kate Flood and Shannen McLaughlin capitalised on Devlin's yellow card.

Louth held a 0-8 to 1-4 advantage at the break after a score by captain Aine Breen and two points from Flood.

Maria O'Neill got Antrim back on level terms early in the second half, but Eimear Byrne soon restored Louth's advantage.

Louth, who lost the 2024 decider to Fermanagh, put one hand on the title when Flood, Breen, Mia Duffy and Lucy White put them five points clear in the closing stages.

Antrim rallied late on through Ana Mulholland, Mellon and a late O'Neill point, but Louth had enough in hand to get over the line.

Louth: R Lambe Fagan; R Beirth, E Hand, E Murray; H Lambe Sally, S McLaughlin, L Byrne; A Breen, A Halligan; L White, E Byrne, S Matthews; A Russell, K Flood, C Nolan.

Subs: M Duffy for Matthews (42), L Collins for Russell (56), G McCrave for Lambe Sally, Z Sweeney for White (both 59).

Antrim: A Devlin; N McIntosh, M Blaney, M Mulholland; S O'Neill, C Brown, C McKenna; A Mulholland, A Tubridy; T Mellon, M O'Neill, Aoife Kelly; B Devlin, O Dahunsi, L Agnew.

Subs: A Turley for Tubridy, A Monaghan for Kelly (both 39), B Nic Cathail for Agnew (47), N Jones for B Devlin, Aine Kelly for McKenna (both 56).

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor says Sunday's All-Ireland final victory over Donegal could be his "last hurrah" in charge of the Kingdom.

O'Connor guided Kerry to a 1-26 to 0-19 victory at Croke Park and Sam Maguire will head back home with the Munster champions for the first time since 2022.

It is a fifth All-Ireland for O'Connor, who has led the Kingdom across three spells since 2001.

The 64-year-old's current term is set to expire this year and he said his future would be sorted in "due course", adding there was "no hurry" on a decision.

"I think I went on record earlier in the year that it would probably be my last hurrah," he said in his post-match press conference at Croke Park.

"I don't want to be telling you lads [the media] before I tell anyone else, there are more important people down the corridor."

He added that his wife, Bridie, had captured a special moment before he headed to Dublin with his team in case it was his last time with Kerry.

"I was going out the door on Thursday evening with my bag and my wife took a picture of me going out the gate," he said.

"I've a fair idea that will be up on the wall as my last. She'll be framing that one."

Star forward David Clifford, who said comparisons to Lionel Messi motivated him in his 0-9 performance in the final, said O'Connor also had additional fuel due to praise given to opposite number Jim McGuinness.

"He's a winner," Clifford said on his manager.

"I don't think Jack was happy with the commentary around the Donegal manager and all he could do.

"I think there was a lot of disrespect around that for Jack so that was for him today."

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

David Clifford says comparisons to being the Lionel Messi of Gaelic football motivated him in Kerry's All-Ireland final win over Donegal.

Clifford scored 0-9 at Croke Park to cement his place as one of the greatest players of his generation.

It is a first Sam Maguire since 2022 for the Kingdom as they blew Donegal away in the 1-26 to 0-19 win.

Clifford says he feels comparisons to Messi, considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, don't always come from the "right place" and that fuelled is final performance.

"To be honest, I nearly take it as a hit because I think there are people who say it but it isn't coming from the right place," Clifford told BBC Sport NI.

"I think they are trying to build you up and hope that you will fail. That was a massive motivation for me today."

Clifford said he was struggling for words after the win, which came after a blistering start from the Kingdom and Jack O'Connor's side had enough to hand to hold off any potential Donegal fightback.

Joe O'Connor's late goal was the icing on the cake for Kerry, and there were wild celebrations when the hooter went at Croke Park.

"You think about doing it all week and over the last two weeks you are nearly waking up in the middle of the night thinking about it.

"When you are here and it goes well it's such a good feeling. We couldn't be happier."

Clifford added that Kerry studied Meath's approach in the semi-finals and were able to score crucial two-pointers that Donegal's last-four opponents could not take.

He said it was not a specific tactic by the Kingdom, but the management "trust the forwards".

"You could see Meath in the semi-final probably over do it.

"The beauty of our set-up, our management team and how we approach things is we let the forwards do what they want. We trust the forwards to make good decisions and it's great when they go over."

Image source, Derry GAA

Derry GAA legend Colm Mulholland, a member of the county side that reached the All-Ireland final in 1958, has died at the age of 96.

Mulholland won an Ulster title with the Oak Leafers in the same year.

He represented Derry at senior level for 13 years, taking in the 1950s and early 1960s.

A statement released by Derry GAA described him as "a Rolls-Royce centre-half-back and a proud Lavey man".

"Colm was recognised throughout Ireland as one of the leading footballers of his generation," the statement said.

"His passing is a reminder of the great legacy that has been passed on to our current players - one we are deeply proud of.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Colm's family circle and the Gaels of Erin's Own, Lavey, where he served as honorary club president."