Gaelic Games

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Michael McKernan has been passed fit to be a part of Tyrone's panel for Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry.

The Coalisland clubman, 27, was a doubt for the game at Croke Park (17:00 BST) having missed the quarter-final victory over Dublin thanks to a shoulder injury picked up in the round-robin stage against Cavan.

Red Hands' coach Colm McCullagh had appeared to rule the half-back out of the semi-final earlier this week but he has been named among Malachy O'Rourke's replacements.

Mark Bradley is also on the bench having been a late scratch from the win against Dublin two weeks ago.

O'Rourke has named an unchanged starting line-up from the one that beat the Dubs in what proved to be Dessie Farrell's last game in charge of Dublin.

Tyrone: Niall Morgan; Cormac Quinn, Padraig Hampsey, Niall Devlin; Peter Teague, Rory Brennan, Kieran McGeary; Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick; Seanie O'Donnell, Peter Harte, Ciaran Daly; Darren McCurry, Mattie Donnelly, Darragh Canavan.

Subs: Oisin O'Kane, Aidan Clarke, Michael Rafferty, Frank Burns, Michael McKernan, Ben McDonnell, Michael O'Neill, Conor Meyler, Eoin McElholm, Mark Bradley, Ruairi Canavan.

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With Tyrone and Kerry braced to write the latest chapter of an intense and storied rivalry in Saturday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final, here's a look back at the 2008 final, which the Red Hands won 1-15 to 0-14.

Tommy McGuigan's goal a minute after half-time helped Tyrone maintain their winning championship sequence against the Kingdom in the 2008 All-Ireland decider with man of the match Sean Cavanagh's five points also proving crucial for Mickey Harte's side.

Tyrone's build-up to the match had been dominated by Stephen O'Neill's return to the squad for the decider, although he was relatively subdued after being introduced for the injured Colm McCullagh on 23 minutes.

Kerry led 0-8 to 0-7 after a first half which included an astonishing score by Brian Dooher moments after a superb save by Finbarr McConnell as the Tyrone skipper burst down the right-hand sideline, brushed off three challenges, before arrowing the ball over the bar.

McGuigan's goal put the Red Hands ahead immediately after the resumption and while a Colm Cooper point saw the Kingdom regain the advantage in the 56th minute, Tyrone finished the stronger to clinch their third title in six seasons.

Originally published in June 2023

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With Tyrone and Kerry braced to write the latest chapter of an intense and storied rivalry in Saturday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final, here's a look back at the 2005 final, which the Red Hands won 1-16 to 2-10.

After regaining the All-Ireland title in 2004, Kerry faced up to Tyrone again in the 2005 decider but once again the Red Hands proved too good as Peter Canavan's classy finish for his first-half goal ultimately proved the difference between the sides.

Dara O Cinneide's early goal helped the Kingdom lead 1-2 to 0-2 but Mickey Harte's side dominated the second quarter with Canavan's precise low strike past Diarmuid Murphy after an Owen Mulligan pass contributing to the Red Hands' 1-8 to 1-5 half-time lead.

A couple of Stephen O'Neill points kept Tyrone in control despite Kerry's best efforts and, while Tomas O Se did blast in a second Kingdom goal in the 56th minute to cut the margin to one, scores from Canavan, O'Neill, Brian McGuigan and Philip Jordan helped the Red Hands close the game out.

After notching his first-half goal, Canavan was substituted but the Errigal Ciaran star was introduced again during the closing stages of the second half in what proved his final inter-county appearance before his retirement.

Tyrone clinched the title after a remarkable 10-game campaign which saw them requiring replays against Cavan and Armagh in the Ulster semi-final and final, with the Orchard men winning the provincial title, and then having two contests against Dublin in the quarter-finals.

Originally published in June 2023

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Paudie Clifford has once again missed out on selection in Kerry's starting line-up for Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Tyrone (17:00 BST).

The Fossa player made a telling impact from the bench in the Kingdom's quarter-final victory over Armagh but Jack O'Connor has opted for the same again going into this weekend's last four match.

The Kerry manager makes two changes to his starting team with Mike Breen, who missed that victory over Armagh through injury, in at centre-back and Michael Burns named in the half-forward line.

Mark O'Shea and Tom O'Sullivan make way with captain Gavin White starting at half-back.

Tony Brosnan and Tadhg Morley return to the match-day squad and are alongside Paul Geaney and Clifford in the replacements.

Kerry: S Ryan; P Murphy, J Foley, D Casey; B O Beaglaioch, M Breen, G White; S O'Brien, J O'Connor; M Burns, S O'Shea, G O'Sullivan; D Clifford, C Geaney, D Geaney.

Replacements: S Murphy, K Spillane, E Looney, A Heinrich, TL O'Sullivan, P Clifford, M O'Shea, T Kennedy, T Morley, P Geaney, T Brosnan.

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With Tyrone and Kerry braced to write the latest chapter in an intense and storied rivalry in Saturday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final, here's a look back at the 2003 All-Ireland semi-final, which the Red Hands won 0-13 to 0-6.

A year after squandering a half-time lead to lose the All-Ireland Final against Armagh, the Kingdom were to endure an even more chastening afternoon as the Red Hands dominated the 2003 All-Ireland semi-final from the start despite losing talisman Peter Canavan to injury early on.

Tyrone's insatiable desire saw them hit the opening six points and the lead was 0-9 to 0-2 at half-time as the Kingdom had no match for the Red Hands' running game and ferocity in the tackle.

One lengthy sequence of play in the first half saw Kerry's firstly Dara O Cinneide and then Eoin Brosnan, while in their own half, become surrounded by a posse of Tyrone players as they fruitlessly attempted to gain ground with ball in hand.

A furious Pat Spillane delivered his verdict to the TV audience afterwards but there had been no doubting Tyrone's superiority on a day when Paidi O Se's side had no answer to the game plan devised by Mickey Harte.

Originally published in June 2023

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With Tyrone and Kerry braced to write the latest chapter in an intense and storied rivalry in Saturday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final, here's a look back at their first championship meeting in the 1986 All-Ireland final, which the Kingdom won 2-15 to 1-10.

Kerry's 1986 triumph proved the last hurrah for Mick O'Dwyer's legendary band of Kingdom players as they clinched an eighth Sam Maguire in 12 years but they were already creaking that day as Tyrone's inexperience saw them contrive to lose a seemingly insurmountable seven-point advantage with just over 20 minutes left.

Granted, McCabe's skied penalty over the bar was the obvious turning point but it shouldn't necessarily have been as his point had increased the Red Hands' advantage to seven.

McCabe, who was Tyrone's first All-Star in 1980, later said that Tyrone had factored in every possible scenario that day apart from having to hold onto a big lead.

Sam did indeed seem on his way north of the border for the first time since Down's 1968 triumph as Paudge Quinn's goal helped the Red Hands take their big lead.

A successful McCabe penalty past Charlie Nelligan would have put Tyrone nine ahead but within seconds that man Spillane has palmed the ball to the net past Aidan Skelton at the other end to cut the Red Hands' advantage to four.

Mikey Sheehy, finally given room to express himself after the injury-enforced departure of teak tough Tyrone defender Lynch, soon blasted in Kerry's second goal as the Kingdom outscored their shell-shocked opponents 1-11 to 0-2 in the closing 20-odd minutes of action.

Originally published in June 2023

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Oisin McConville has extended his stay as Wicklow senior football manager for another two years, taking him through to the end of the 2027 season.

The Armagh All-Ireland winner was appointed in 2022 and led the county to the Tailteann Cup semi-finals in June, where they lost to Limerick.

The Leinster county also narrowly missed out on promotion to Division Three earlier this year.

Following that loss, McConville questioned whether he would continue in the role given the travel commitments.

McConville was co-manager of his own club Crossmaglen when they won the Ulster title in 2015.

He also managed Seneschalstown in Meath and had a spell in charge of Monaghan outfit Inniskeen Grattans.

"This year, under his leadership, Wicklow came within a score of promotion and delivered a thrilling Tailteann Cup semi-final display, only to be edged out by Limerick in the closing minutes," Wicklow GAA said.

"The progress achieved on and off the field has been widely commended by players, supporters and county board delegates alike."

Their statement added: "His commitment to fostering emerging talent, refining our tactical identity and driving a high-performance culture gives us every confidence that Wicklow football will continue to flourish."

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Derry GAA football manager Paddy Tally has left his role with the Oak Leafers after spending a sole season in charge.

After a protracted search, Tally was appointed as Mickey Harte's successor in November for what was to be a three-year term.

Instead, his time at the helm lasted only eight months during which the side failed to win a game.

After winning the Allianz League in 2024 under Harte, they were relegated from Division One this season before a 10-point loss to Donegal in the preliminary round of the Ulster Championship and a round robin exit from the All-Ireland.

"I want to thank my management, backroom and medical team and most importantly the players for their commitment and dedication over the past season," said Tally.

"Thank you to Derry County Board and the staff in Owenbeg and Celtic Park for their hospitality and support. I wish the Derry senior footballers the best for the future".

A Derry statement said Tally "brought integrity and energy to the role along with a deep commitment to the players".

Harte also only spent one campaign in charge, meaning Derry are looking for a new permanent manager for the third time in as many seasons.

Orla Bannon
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Tyrone coach Colm McCullagh said that "time is running out" for defender Michael McKernan in his battle to be fit for Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final game against Kerry.

McKernan was substituted after picking up a shoulder problem against Cavan three weeks ago.

It had been anticipated that if Tyrone could beat Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-final, it would give McKernan a chance to feature in a last four tie.

However, McCullagh has dashed Tyrone fans' hopes just a few days out from their semi-final showdown against the Kingdom in Croke Park.

"Michael is improving, he is coming on, but this weekend will be too soon for him," he said.

"Unless there is a major improvement in the next couple of days it is looking very unlikely.

"He picked up a fairly serious enough shoulder injury early on against Cavan and it's no contact stuff for him at the minute."

Tyrone have been patchy all season mixing the good with the poor, but McKernan has been one of their most consistent performers all year.

A notable man-marker, he has also enjoyed the new rules and kicked a string of monster two-pointers for the Red Hands.

However, his bright season came to an abrupt end when he shipped a heavy knock against Cavan and left the field in Brewster Park in real distress.

With quality players like David and Paudie Clifford as well as Sean O'Shea on the opposing team on this weekend, McKernan's absence will be a real blow.

"Michael is trying his best to make it work for him, he is doing all he can and the medical team are doing all they can," added McCullagh.

"It's just the time could be running out for him possibly.

"We have a clean bill of health otherwise, a few wee niggles but nothing serious."

Meanwhile, Mark Bradley has declared himself fit to feature having sat out the last two games.

"I've had a few niggles throughout the year with my calves, it's very unpredictable," he said.

"You could be doing a warm-up and you just feel it. It's not like sprinting or like with your hamstring where you know you're going to hurt it, but it's all good at the minute, I'm training away."

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Kerry have been handed a double injury blow with Tom O'Sullivan and Diarmuid O'Connor ruled out of their All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone on Saturday.

Defender O'Sullivan misses out with a calf problem, which forced him to come off in the quarter-final win against Armagh.

Midfielder O'Connor will be absent with a shoulder problem that has hindered him throughout the season.

They join Barry Dan O'Sullivan on the sidelines after the Dingle man ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament earlier in the campaign.

The Kingdom's boss Jack O'Connor is also sweating on the fitness of the likes of Tony Brosnan, Tadhg Morley, Mike Breen and Paul Geaney for the last four tie, although all four are back in training.

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Raymond Galligan has stepped down as Cavan senior football boss after two years at the helm.

The Breffni County's former Ulster Championship-winning captain's departure was confirmed in a statement by Cavan on Monday afternoon.

"Cavan GAA would like to put on record their appreciation and gratitude for the huge commitment and effort Raymond and his management have given to Cavan football," it read.

"We wish Raymond, his wife Niamh and their two young children the best in the future and thank you again from all in Cavan GAA."

The former All-Star goalkeeper, who made 119 appearances for Cavan, succeeded Mickey Graham as manager ahead of the 2024 season.

Last year, Cavan finished third in Division Two, lost to Tyrone after extra-time in the Ulster quarter-finals and failed to progress past the All-Ireland group stages.

Following a fourth-place finish in Division Two this year, they again fell to Tyrone in the last eight of the Ulster series, but reached the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals after a shock round-robin win over Mayo in Castlebar.

His last match in charge was the preliminary quarter-final loss to Kerry in Killarney last month.

Galligan is the second managerial change in Ulster in recent weeks with Andy McEntee having stepped down as Antrim boss after three years in the role.

The GAA has admitted there was "confusion" over the final score of Tipperary's All-Ireland Hurling Championship semi-final win over Kilkenny.

The full-score at Croke Park has been confirmed as a 4-20 to 0-30 victory for Tipp, but it had been recorded as a 4-21 to 0-30 win.

The confusion came after Tipperary midfielder Noel McGrath's effort in the 70th minute was waved wide but was registered as a point on the scoreboard in the stadium - which left the eventual winners with 4-21.

That left Kilkenny chasing a goal in the closing stages thinking they were four points behind, when in theory they could have taken points to draw level in additional time as there were three points between the sides.

"The GAA can confirm that the official score at the end of the Tipperary v Kilkenny GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final was 4-20 to 0-30," the statement read.

"The GAA acknowledges there was confusion over the final score.

"The CCCC is awaiting the full referees report in order to establish how the initial mistake occurred."

Speaking on the GAA Social podcast, two-time All-Ireland winner Jamesie O'Connor said: "This type of thing shouldn't happen, especially at Croke Park.

"If it's three points with four minutes left you are more inclined to tap it over the bar. With the time that was there Kilkenny have every right to feel aggrieved.

"It shouldn't take away from Tipp's win, which was merited, but this type of controversy, in a game of this magnitude and at headquarters with the technology that is available to us, it shouldn't have happened."

When asked if he would go off the scoreboard in the stadium if he was playing at Croke Park, Limerick's five-time All-Ireland winner Seamus Flanagan said: "100%".

"It has a massive bearing on the game, it really does," he added.

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Tipperary forward John McGrath reacts to Sunday's dramatic win over Kilkenny:

On the end of the match: "It's unbelievable. The finish to that game you just didn't know what was going to happen. We got a couple of really good scores to push ahead, they had chances to level it or get ahead. There was some serious defending back there. It was mayhem at the end and it's kind of hard to get your head around at the moment. It's unbelievably satisfying to get through."

On Oisin O'Donoghue's goal after Tipp were reduced to 14 players: "The youth and the bravery of him, he's still under-20 next year again. I don't even remember him hitting the ball, I just saw the net shake. It was a huge score at the time and it gave us that bit of breathing room. He's been doing that all year. You need those moments and those breaks, especially as we were under pressure near the end."

On facing Cork in the final: "The form is with them, I suppose. We've had a couple of tough outings against them already this year, but we've regrouped and found a little more along the way. They are probably a couple more years down the road than us. It took us a little to get into our stride as the season has gone on. There's a huge rivalry there going years back, between the teams and supporters, and a great bit of banter in it as well. It's a quick enough turnaround, so it'll be on you before you know it. It's great to be looking forward to it."

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Tyrone manager Gerard Donnelly says he can't put the Red Hands' All-Ireland Minor Football Championship title into words.

Diarmuid Martin struck the winning point in the last minute on additional time as Tyrone ran out 1-16 to 1-15 winners at Newbridge.

Ben Kelliher's first-half goal had helped Kerry into a four-point lead in the final quarter, but Peter Colton netted a penalty with nine minutes to play to set up a dramatic conclusion.

Donnelly said it was "fine margins" in a match that "went back and forth".

"I can't put it into words, to be honest with you," Donnelly told TG4.

"That Kerry team are unbelievable, what about our boys though?

"Four down with 12 minutes to play in the wind, they never say die."

Donnelly was manager when Tyrone lost the 2021 final to Meath, and he admitted "if it will ever come back again".

"That final whistle going will be a memory I will remember for the rest of my life.

"It hasn't sunk in yet to be honest with you."

The build-up to the final was dominated by the unavailability of Joel Kerr, who had played a key role in Tyrone's progress to the final but had joined Premier League club West Ham on 1 July.

Donnelly said the 16-year-old was "some lad" and Tyrone had "no issues" with West Ham over the decision.

"We knew from the start that it could be problematic and we've no problems with West Ham, they've put investment in the kid.

"It's unbelievable that it was Diarmuid Martin, who came in for him, got the winning point to win Joel his All-Ireland medal."

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Tyrone won the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship for the first time since 2010 with a dramatic 1-16 to 1-15 win over Kerry in Sunday's final.

Ben Kelliher netted the only goal of the first half as Kerry held a 1-8 to 0-7 advantage at the break.

Tyrone, without key forward Joel Kerr after his move to Premier League side West Ham, kept fighting and got a goal through Peter Colton's penalty with nine minutes remaining in Newbridge.

There was nothing to split the sides in injury time, but Diarmuid Martin popped up with the decisive point in the final minute to get Tyrone over the line.

After a tight opening quarter, Tyrone started to stretch their legs as James Mulgrew landed a two-pointer from play and Eoin Long fired over a free.

But after Gearoid White and Danny Murphy chipped into the Red Hands' advantage, Kelliher worked some space in front of goal and fired into the top corner to put Kerry in front at half-time.

Aodhan Quinn brought Tyrone back within one point just seconds after the restart and Long levelled the final with a free.

Tadhg O'Connell and Diarmuid Martin traded scores before White's two-pointer moved Kerry back in front.

Long responded for Tyrone but another two-pointer, this time from Kevin Griffin, restored the Kingdom's three-point buffer.

Kerry could have all but ended the contest after Kelliher was clean through on goal after a poor kick-out from Ronan Donnelly, but the goalkeeper redeemed his error by forcing the forward wide before Padraig Goodman put in a big block.

Griffin then landed a free, but Matthew Daly immediately responded for Tyrone to keep a goal between the sides and Long fired over with the Kerry goal gaping.

There was a further twist with nine minutes to play with Daly was brought down by John Curtin and Tyrone were awarded a penalty, which Colton fired into the top corner to put Gerard Donnelly's side one point ahead.

Murphy's well-taken point levelled the contest with five minutes remaining, and Kelliher landed a point after Donnelly pushed his goal-bound effort over the bar as the clocked ticked into four minutes off additional time.

Colton levelled the game once more through a well-struck free, and another effort bounced off the upright allowed Martin to put the Ulster champions ahead heading into the final minute.

Kerry had one last attack but another decisive intervention from Martin, who came away with the ball after goalmouth scramble, sparked wild celebrations as Tyrone ended their long wait for success at this grade.

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Tyrone coach Ciaran Gourley says it is "unfortunate" that West Ham footballer Joel Kerr was not available to play in Sunday's All-Ireland Minor final against Kerry.

Kerr played a key role in the Red Hands' progression to the final on Sunday, but was not able to feature for Gerard Donnelly's side as his contract with the Premier League side started on 1 July.

The 16-year-old had balanced playing gaelic football for Tyrone and was also an underage player with Irish Premiership side Glentoran.

There were reports in the build-up to the final that Kerr would not be allowed to play after his move to the Premier League side was finalised, but he was surprisingly named in the Red Hands' starting team before throw-in.

However, Gourley confirmed that Kerr was not available to feature and said it was "unfortunate" for the teenager.

"We had hoped during the week there might have been an opportunity for us," Gourley told TG4 before Tyrone's decider.

"Look, he signed with them on 1 July so he's their [West Ham's] player.

"You have to respect that it's a big opportunity over there and you can't maybe jeopardise that for this one game.

"The players have still prepared as best they can and I know he'll be watching and cheering us on, but unfortunately for us he's not here."

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The Armagh senior ladies footballers will begin the search for new management after it was confirmed Darnell Parkinson and Joe Feeney have stepped down.

The pair took over from Greg McGonigle at the beginning of the year, having served as members of the Derry native's backroom team last year when the Orchard women won the Division One and Ulster titles and reached the last four of the All-Ireland Senior Championship.

Armagh retained their provincial crown with victory over Donegal in May's final at Clones, bust lost the Division One final against Kerry.

In the All-Ireland Championship, a shock defeat by Kildare meant they failed to progress from the group stage.

On Saturday, retained their senior status thanks to a 0-15 to 0-5 victory over Donegal in a relegation semi-final.

"On behalf of Armagh, we extend our sincere thanks to Darnell, Joe and the backroom team for their contribution to our senior team for the 2025 season," said Armagh chairperson Sinead Reel in a statement.

"We thank all those involved on the management team, their partners and families for their time and commitment to the Armagh cause.

"We wish the entire management and backroom team all the best in their future endeavours.

"Back-to-back Ulster titles and senior retention leaves a strong foundation for the future of Armagh football."