Gaelic Games

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Newbridge have retained the Derry Senior Club Football Championship title with a narrow 1-17 to 1-15 win over Magherafelt at Celtic Park.

Callum McGrogan fisted the ball into the net in the fourth minute but Shane Heaveron's two-point free drew Magherafelt level.

There was little between the two sides but Rossa hit the front in the ninth minute when Heaveron slotted into the back of the net.

There was never more than two points between the sides for the remainder of the half and Heaveron's seventh point of the game left the score at 1-6 to 1-5 at the break in the favour of the holders.

However, Newbridge soon pulled five points clear thanks to two scores from Oisin Doherty and Conor McAteer's two-pointer, but Magherafelt began to eat into that margin.

Doherty and Heaveron exchanged two-pointers, but Magherafelt fought back and made it a one-point game with two minutes to play when Cormac Murphy landed a point.

But the holders would have the final say when Eamon Young restored the two-point margin in additional time, and there were wild celebrations when the full-time whistle blew at Celtic Park.

Winning captain McAteer said it was a "surreal" feeling to win the title in consecutive years.

"With Magherafelt being our rivals it is so, so sweet," said McAteer.

"You never get tired of this feeling. Being underdogs suit us and we tend to play better when our backs are against the wall.

"We've worked so hard and prepared for every possible outcome."

It is a 12th Derry title and back-to-back triumphs for Newbridge, whose victory over Glen in 2024 was their first in 35 years.

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Slaughtneil's appeal over the result of their Derry SFC semi-final defeat to Newbridge has been unsuccessful.

It is understood that the Derry club will not be pursuing the matter any further and Sunday's final between Magherafelt and Newbridge will go ahead as planned.

The appeal surrounded an incident in the latter stages of Sunday's semi-final when forward Shane McGuigan landed a score in injury-time to put his side one point ahead.

One point was awarded for the kick with debate subsequently raging around whether or not the shot was taken from outside of the 40 metre arc, which would have allowed two points to be awarded.

From the next play, Newbridge won a free, which was brought forward by the match referee, with Conor Doherty slotting over from two point range to give the champions a one-point lead.

Padraig McGrogan added a late score, as Newbridge ultimately ran out 0-21 to 1-16 winners.

The winners of Sunday's final will host Antrim champions Dunloy in the preliminary round of the Ulster Club Championship on the weekend of 1-2 November.

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Naomh Conaill's Finbarr Roarty said winning his first Donegal senior football title "feels like a dream" as the Glenties side overcame Gaoth Dobhair 2-18 to 1-19 in Sunday's final after extra-time.

The 19-year-old kicked three points from wing-back to again highlight his star potential in a year where he became an established starter on Jim McGuinness' Donegal team.

However, it wasn't looking good for his team when trailing by seven at the break and by two in added time when Shea Malone stepped up to kick an outrageous two-pointer to send the game into extra-time.

They carried that momentum through into the extra 20 minutes to seal their fifth county title in seven years, but it is a first for Roarty who was quick to downplay his own influence.

"One man doesn't win a game - it's 15 people," he told BBC Sport NI.

"Shea Malone had to take on that two-pointer - no an easy shot to take - but he backed himself and got us to extra-time.

"It's been a great year. I nearly have to pinch myself as it feels like a dream."

It wasn't the first time Naomh Conaill were forced to claw their way back in this year's championship as they found themselves in tight spots in previous rounds.

However, their ability to fight back when the chips are down epitomised their title win and it was again vital on Sunday.

"It's an amazing feeling with your club and your family, it means the world to you," Roarty added.

"Naomh Conaill's motto is 'never die' and there's never a goal we're going to give up.

"We'll always try to fight our way back and today, there probably was a wee bit of luck in it as Gaoth Dobhair were seven points up, but we just fought and came out with the result."

Odhran Crumley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Madden are back in the Armagh SFC final for the first time in 27 years after beating holders Clann Eireann 0-14 to 0-11 at the Athletic Grounds.

Aron McKenna, Niall Grimley and Conor Grimley were among the first-half scorers as Madden led 0-10 to 0-4 at half-time against the reigning champions.

The holders, who were missing the influential Barry McCambridge due to injury, mounted a second half comeback to cut the gap down to two points, thanks to Armagh star Conor Turbitt hitting a pair of two point efforts going into the final 15 minutes of the match.

But from that point they went scoreless in the final ten minutes with Madden goalkeeper Jamie Sheridan making a miraculous stop to deny a Turbitt a goal in the closing stages of the game.

Conor Grimley tapped over his seventh point of the night with the final kick to seal a huge victory for the men in red to leave Madden a step closer to their first ever senior title in the Orchard County and first appearance in the final since 1998.

They will face the winners of Saturday's second semi-final between Crossmaglen and Cullyhanna in the showpiece decider on Sunday 26 August.

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Jim McGuinness will manage Donegal's senior footballers in 2026 for a third season after being ratified by the county board on Monday.

The 52-year-old is in his second spell as Tir Chonaill boss and led them to Ulster titles in the last two years as well as the All-Ireland final in July where they were beaten by Kerry.

Former Donegal All-Star and Football of the Year Karl Lacey has rejoined the county to manage their minor footballers.

The 2012 All-Ireland winner was part of the backroom staff under Declan Bonner and served as the county's head of academy before managing Down club side Kilcoo for two seasons, leading them to the Ulster club title in 2024.

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Armagh All-Ireland winning forward Stefan Campbell has retired from inter-county football.

The versatile Clann na Gael clubman joined the Orchard County's panel in 2011 and made his championship debut in 2013.

After stepping away from the panel for a year, Campbell returned in 2019 and was most effectively used by Kieran McGeeney as an impact substitute.

He played a crucial role in the 2024 All-Ireland final after coming off the bench, setting up Aaron McKay's goal as Armagh beat Galway 1-11 to 0-13.

Campbell's last appearance for his county came in Armagh's All-Ireland round robin defeat against Galway.

He came off the bench and registered a point as McGeeney's side lost 2-22 to 0-27 in a thriller at Breffni Park.

Following the conclusion of the 2025 inter-county season, Campbell signed up for a fourth spell with Mid-Ulster Football League side Lurgan Celtic.

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The Football Review Committee's proposals were all passed by huge majorities at the GAA's Special Congress on Saturday.

The changes, which were trialled in both intercounty and club competitions this year, will now be included in the GAA's official guide from 1 January 2026.

Some of the 62 reforms did require additional amendments.

Previously, if a successful two-point attempt from beyond the arc was touched by the opposition inside the arc, it would be reduced to a one-point score.

While still the case if the ball is touched by a member of the scorer's own team, a deflection from the opposition no longer impacts whether one or two points are awarded.

The most contentious issue related to the hooter which was passed by a majority of 67%.

During the trial, once a hooter sounded to signal the end of a half or game, play continued until the ball went dead.

In their final report, the FRC has recommended the rule would revert back to the original proposal where the hooter marks the end of a half or game unless the ball is in flight or a free, 45 or sideline is about to be taken.

The opening motion of the day was the only one not brought forward off the back of an FRC recommendation and related to playing gear.

It amended the existing rule where kit had to be manufactured by an Irish manufacturer to one that is officially licensed by the GAA and ensures the organisation is in line with EU law.

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Donegal have received the most nominations for 2025 All-Star awards despite losing to Kerry in this year's All-Ireland Football final in July.

The Ulster champions have 10 players listed, with the Sam Maguire winners boasting nine nominations.

Michael Murphy, who came out of retirement to help Donegal progress to the Croke Park decider, has been nominated for an All-Star and shortlisted for the Footballer of the Year prize.

He is joined on the All-Star list by fellow forwards Conor O'Donnell, Shane O'Donnell and Ciaran Thompson.

Midfielder Michael Langan and defenders Peadar Mogan, Finnbar Roarty, Ciaran Moore, Brendan McCole and Ryan McHugh are also among those whose names have been put forward.

Kerry are represented on the list by brothers David and Paudie Clifford, Sean O'Shea, Joe O'Connor, Gavin White, Jason Foley, Brian O Beaglaioch and Mike Breen, plus goalkeeper Shane Ryan.

David Clifford and O'Connor join Murphy as nominees for the Footballer of the Year.

All-Ireland quarter-finalists Armagh and Meath, who reached the semi-finals, both boast five All-Star nominations.

The Orchard county are represented by Rory Grugan, Oisin Conaty, Ross McQullian, Jarly Og Burns and Ethan Rafferty.

Among the other Ulster counties Tyrone have Kieran McGeary and Niall Devlin named, while Monaghan, Derry and Down have one players apiece nominated, namely Rory Beggan, Conor Glass and Odhran Murdock respectively.

Conaty will contest the Young Player of the Year accolade alongside Donegal corner back Roarty and Galway forward Matthew Thompson, with the Armagh player hoping to collect the prize for the second year in succession.

The All-Star nominations were chosen by a group of Gaelic games correspondents from across print, radio, television and digital media and was chaired by GAA President Jarlath Burns.

The awards will be presented at a gala event at Dublin's RDS on Friday 7 November.

Goalkeepers

Shane Ryan (Kerry), Rory Beggan (Monaghan), Ethan Rafferty (Armagh)

Defenders

Brian O BeaglaIoch (Kerry), Jason Foley (Kerry), Gavin White (Kerry), Michael Breen (Kerry), Brendan McCole (Donegal), Finnbarr Roarty (Donegal), Peadar Mogan (Donegal), Ciaran Moore (Donegal), Ciaran Caulfield (Meath), Sean Rafferty (Meath), Craig Lennon (Louth), Jarly Og Burns (Armagh), Ross McQuillan (Armagh), Niall Devlin (Tyrone), Kieran McGeary (Tyrone), Dessie Ward (Monaghan), Jack Coyne (Mayo), Ryan McHugh (Donegal)

Midfielders

Michael Langan (Donegal), Joe O'Connor (Kerry), Odhran Murdock (Down), Conor Glass (Derry), John Maher (Galway), Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne (Dublin)

Forwards

Michael Murphy (Donegal), Conor O'Donnell (Donegal), Shane O'Donnell (Donegal), Ciaran Thompson (Donegal), David Clifford (Kerry), Paudie Clifford (Kerry), Sean O'Shea (Kerry), Matthew Costello (Meath), Jordan Morris (Meath), Ruairi Kinsella (Meath), Rob Finnerty (Galway), Matthew Thompson (Galway), Sam Mulroy (Louth), Ryan Burns (Louth), Oisin Conaty (Armagh), Rory Grugan (Armagh), Michael Bannigan (Monaghan), Ciaran Kilkenny (Dublin)

Footballer of the Year

David Clifford (Kerry), Joe O'Connor (Kerry), Michael Murphy (Donegal)

Young Footballer of the Year

Oisin Conaty (Armagh), Finbarr Roarty (Donegal), Matthew Thompson (Galway)

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Ulster GAA has confirmed the Dr McKenna Cup will return in 2026 following a one-year hiatus.

At a meeting of the Ulster Competition Controls Committee on Tuesday, county delegates voted unanimously unanimous vote to restore the pre-season competition, with its hurling equivalent, the Conor McGurk Cup also backed to return.

Pre-season tournaments were dropped in 2025 across all provinces, with player welfare cited as a factor due to the condensed inter-county season.

It resulted in provinces taking a financial hit due to lack of gate receipts and sponsorship, with Ulster GAA estimating a loss of up to £300,000.

However, a recent review by the GAA's Central Council opened the door for pre-season competitions to return with Ulster first to confirm the popular Dr McKenna Cup will be played in 2026 in what will be the 100th anniversary since its inception.

Derry are the current holders, winning the 2024 competition with a 0-12 to 0-16 victory against Donegal in the final, while Donegal won the last edition of the Conor McGurk Cup with a 2-25 to 0-22 win over Down in in 2024 to make it back-to-back successes.

The return of similar competitions in the remaining provinces are not yet confirmed. Antrim and Down have been regular participants in Leinster hurling's pre-season tournaments, while the province's O'Byrne Cup in football, Connacht's FBD League and Munster's competitions have also been crucial for teams fine-tuning their league preparations.

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Cork hurling great Patrick Horgan has announced his inter-county retirement.

The 37-year-old forward is hurling's all-time leading scorer in both championship 32-683 (779) and league 26-674 (758) games and is widely regarded as one of the finest players of his generation.

Horgan made his debut in 2008 and won four Munster titles, an Allianz Hurling League title and four All-Stars.

Horgan never tasted success on hurling's biggest day, however, losing four All-Ireland finals with Cork in 2013, 2021, 2024 and most recently in 2025 against Tipperary.

"After careful consideration having focused on playing for my club Glen Rovers in recent weeks, I have made the decision to step back from intercounty hurling," Horgan said in a statement on social media.

"I would like to thank my family for their love, support and encouragement over the years - my wife Ashley and son Jack, my father Pat, my mother Ann, sisters Ann Marie and Audrey, my brother Johnny, my nephews, niece and my in-laws. Without you all I wouldn't be where I am today.

"A huge thank you to my friends and teammates past and present who have always had my back, and to my club Glen Rovers who have backed and supported me throughout the years.

"I have worn the red jersey for eighteen years and it has been the privilege of my life to represent the people of Cork during that time. I will always be grateful for the support the Cork people have given our team in good times and bad. They are truly the greatest supporters in Ireland.

"Up the Rebels."