Gaelic Games

Odhran Crumley
BBC Sport NI Journalist at Brewster Park

Image source, Inpho

Tyrone cruised into the last-eight of the All-Ireland series by beating Cavan by 0-31 to 0-18 to top Group Four at Brewster Park.

The Red Hands were rampant in attack and gave a resounding reaction to their defeat by Mayo at Healy Park a fortnight ago with 11 different scorers.

Darren McCurry top scored with 0-9 while Darragh Canavan finished with 0-5.

Tyrone finish top of the group beating Donegal on the head to head rule after the Tir Chonaill beat Mayo in Roscommon, and it means they go straight through to the quarter-finals.

Malachy O'Rourke's side led 0-18 to 0-7 at the break and hit seven unanswered points in a row including two, two pointers, first from Niall Morgan from a free before Peter Harte raised an orange flag to establish a seven point lead.

Rory Brennan and Paddy Lynch who finished with nine points of his own traded two pointers but it was the speed and flair of the Red Hand attack that really was the story of the half despite seeming to struggle early on with their own kick-out as Cavan brought a physicality that was lacking in their Ulster defeat to the same opposition in April.

The one blemish on the Tyrone first-half was losing Michael McKernan to injury after just two minutes with the Coalisland attacker exiting the field holding his left arm.

Raymond Galligan's side needed a spark in the second half and got it through another Lynch two pointer.

McCurry and Cormac O'Reilly traded scores before Tyrone hit six unanswered scores to lead 0-24 to 0-12 with twenty left to play.

Arguably the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Conor Meyler, who returned to be play for Tyrone for the first time in almost two years after a horrific run with injury. His last appearance came against Kerry at Croke Park in the last-eight of the All-Ireland in 2023.

The Red Hands finished with a flourish as McCurry landed another two pointer while Under 20 footballer of the year Eoin McElholm came off the bench to put the icing on the cake and seal a thirteen point win for his county.

Tyrone: Niall Morgan (0-2 2ptf); Cormac Quinn, Padraig Hampsey, Niall Devlin (0-1); Michael McKernan, Rory Brennan (0-3 1 2pt), Kieran McGeary (0-2); Brian Kennedy, Peter Teague; Seanie O'Donnell (0-1), Conn Kilpatrick, Ciaran Daly (0-1); Darren McCurry (0-9 3f, 1 2ptf), Mattie Donnelly (0-4), Darragh Canavan (0-5 1f).

Subs: Peter Harte (0-2) for M McKernan (3), Aidan Clarke for N Devlin (30), Eoin McElholm (0-1) for M Donnelly (47), Ben McDonnell for C Kilpatrick (67)

Cavan: Liam Brady; Niall Carolan, Killian Brady, Cian Reilly; Brian O'Connell, Ciaran Brady, Padraig Faulkner; Oisin Kiernan, Evan Crowe; Gerard Smith, Dara McVeety, Oisin Brady (0-1); Cormac O'Reilly (0-4), Paddy Lynch (0-9 1 45 3f 2 2ptf), Cian Madden.

Subs: Sean McEvoy (0-1) for K Brady (32), Ryan O'Neill (0-2 1 2pt) for O Brady (50), Ruairi Curran (0-1) for O Kiernan (54), Killian Clarke for C Brady (61), Luke Fortune for C Reilly (66)

Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)

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Jack McCarron's second-half goal helped Monaghan defeat Down by 2-27 to 1-26 to secure an All-Ireland quarter-final spot.

It was a winner-takes-all shootout in Group Three in Armagh as the sides were level on four points heading into the final fixture.

Down held a narrow 1-15 to 1-14 lead at the break as John McGeough and Michael Bannigan exchanged first-half goals.

There was little to split the sides throughout the contest, but McCarron's goal was crucial as Monaghan moved clear in the final quarter to book their place in the last eight.

Down will go into the preliminary quarter-final after the defeat, and they will be joined by Leinster champions Louth, who defeated Clare by 2-17 to 2-14 to progress.

Monaghan held a three-point lead in the early stages but Down drew level when McGeough netted after being found by Ryan McEvoy.

In a role reversal, Down edged into a three-point lead after a flurry of points before Bannigan struck in the 31st minute to level the contest.

Down again moved three points clear as the clock ticked towards half-time, but Rory Beggan's two-pointer reduced the lead at the interval.

The end-to-end nature continued before Pat Havern's 11th point of the game moved Conor Laverty's side four points clear.

However, Monaghan grabbed their second goal 14 minutes into the second half in scrappy circumstances when Conor McCarthy was denied by Ronan Burns, Bannigan hit the post from the rebound but the ball fell kindly to McCarron, who was able to fire into the unguarded net.

Neither side could find clear daylight until McCarron, Bannigan, Ryan O'Toole and Beggan's two-pointer moved Gabriel Bannigan's side five points clear heading into injury-time, which was enough to help Monaghan over the line and into the last eight.

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Paddy Tally believes his Derry side are "not that far away" from beating the top teams despite exiting the All-Ireland in the group stages.

Saturday's 0-22 to 0-20 defeat by Dublin left Tally's side bottom of a hotly-contested Group Four.

Their sole point came from a draw with Galway, but Tally believes the narrow defeat in Newry by Dublin shows his side are on the right track.

"We didn't plan this to be the last day of the season," Tally told BBC Sport NI.

"The team were starting to go really well and we looked in better shape than we've been in for a while, but we hit a good Dublin team today."

Group Four had been billed as the 'group of death' with reigning All-Ireland champions Armagh, beaten finalists Galway and 2023 winners Dublin drawn with the Oak Leafers.

Derry were also pitted against eventual winners Donegal in the preliminary quarter-final of the Ulster Championship.

Tally admits that made for a "difficult" first year in charge, but says the strong performances against Division One opposition will only fuel the belief his team belong at the top table of gaelic football.

"Everything that fell for us was really difficult this year, but that will build character.

"These boys will understand it, not that it will help because they believe they are good enough and they are good enough.

"I think they have realised that we're not that far away. It's going to take a really big effort to get back up there next season again."

Odhran Crumley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Inpho

Derry's championship season came to an end with a 0-22 to 0-20 defeat to Dublin in their Group Four finale at Pairc Esler.

The Oak Leafers failed to win a league or championship match across their 11 outings in 2025, mustering just two draws from that period but despite that fact, they entered Saturday's clash with a chance of reaching the last 12.

The Dubs also entered their meeting with the Ulster county needing a win to progress and they did just that to secure passage from the 'Group of Death' alongside Armagh and Galway.

Dessie Farrell's side emerged sharpest from the blocks, hitting four rapid fire scores in the opening two minutes to take an early lead, the last of those coming from the boot of Paddy Small who fired over when aiming for the back of the net.

The Oak Leafers eventually settled with their first score on six minutes from captain Conor Glass.

Despite a desperate start, Derry led midway through the half mainly thanks to two two point frees from Shane McGuigan.

The sides were locked at 13 points each after a breathless end to the half with Cormac Costello and McGuigan trading two pointed efforts.

Like the first, Dublin hit the ground running when play restarted, Con O'Callaghan firing over just 15 seconds after the restart.

Killian McGinnis, John Small and Sean Bugler were amongst the scores as the Dubs outscored Derry 0-5 to 0-1 in seven minutes midway through the half, the second four point burst which probably tipped the scale in Dublin's favour.

The men in blue led by four entering the final 10 minutes and with both sides' championship seasons hanging in the balance, the game grew frantic.

McGuigan kicked his 10th score of the night alongside an Ethan Doherty effort to cut the gap back to three.

Paddy Tally's side could have levelled as McGuigan slipped Brendan Rogers through on goal but his effort went right across the face of Stephen Cluxton's goal and wide of the target.

From almost the very next play of the game, Dublin broke and Bugler rounded Ben McKinless and looked destined to slot the ball into the empty net only for a spectacular goal-line clearance from Ruairi Forbes.

Niall Loughlin and Rogers added two late scores to cut the gap to two but Dessie Farrell's men would hold onto the ball for the remaining seconds and seal a home preliminary quarter-final and with it end Derry's campaign.

Dublin: Stephen Cluxton (0-2 2ptf); Sean MacMahon, Theo Clancy, David Byrne; Brian Howard, John Small (0-1), Lee Gannon (0-2); Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne, Killian McGinnis (0-3); Ciaran Kilkenny (0-1), Sean Bugler (0-2), Niall Scully; Paddy Small (0-2), Con O'Callaghan (0-5), Cormac Costello (0-4 1 2ptf).

Subs: Cian Murphy for Clancy (49), Eoin Murchan for McGinnis (49), Ross McGarry for Scully (54), Tom Lahiff for Gannon (60), Nathan Doran for P Small (68)

Derry: Ben McKinless; Diarmuid Baker, Eoin McEvoy, Patrick McGurk; Conor Doherty; Brendan Rogers (0-1), Padraig McGrogan; Conor Glass (0-2), Dan Higgins; Ethan Doherty (0-3), Paul Cassidy (0-1), Ciaran McFaul; Shane McGuigan (0-10 3 2ptf), Niall Loughlin (0-2 1m), Niall Toner (0-1).

Subs: Lachlan Murray for Toner (45), Conor McCluskey for McGurk (49), Ryan Mullholland for McFaul (59), Ruairi Forbes for Cassidy (62), Cahir McMonagle for Loughlin (68)

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)

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Fermanagh repelled a late Sligo comeback to win 0-21 to 1-16 at Brewster Park on Saturday and reach the semi-finals of the Tailteann Cup for the first time.

The sides traded points early on, before Niall Murphy's 16th-minute goal put Sligo ahead at 1-5 to 0-4, Murphy having earlier contributed a two-pointer.

Fermanagh fought back however and a Garvan Jones free on 26 put the Erne county in front by a margin of 0-10 to 1-6.

Jones and Ronan McCaffrey did most of the damage as their side went in 0-14 to 1-6 to the good at the break.

Sligo began the second half strongly to move to within one of the Ulster side, David Quinn contributing a two-pointer.

Scores from Josh Largo Elis, Joe McDade, Fionan O'Brien and Declan McCusker extended the lead to 0-18 to 1-10, before Lee Cullen was shown a yellow card.

Sligo put in a late rally as a two-pointer from play from Pat Spillane, and a point from the same player drew them to within two by the conclusion of the match.

Kieran Donnelly's side will now contest next weekend's Tailteann semi-finals at Croke Park.

Sligo manager Tony McEntee stood down from his position after his side's defeat.

Odhran Crumley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Inpho

Former Derry captain Chrissy McKaigue believes his county will go into Saturday's crunch Group Four game against Dublin with "full belief" despite their winless 2025.

Derry, Dublin and Galway (who take on Armagh with the All-Ireland champions having already booked their quarter-final spot) all enter this weekend with a chance of progressing to the last 12 of the All-Ireland series.

The Oak Leafers have struggled throughout the 2025 season and have only been able to muster two draws from their 11 league and championship games to date.

"It's time to win again, there's no question, and it'll be some time to win in terms of igniting their season," McKaigue told BBC Sport NI.

"But it's a group that's used to winning, it's a group that's used to winning with their clubs and they've won their fair share with Derry too

"So I don't think they'll be overly fazed by the streak they've gone through, although it's clearly not desirable. They'll go in this weekend having full belief they're capable of beating Dublin."

McKaigue, who was part of the Derry side that beat the Dubs in last year's Division One final at Croke Park, believes good memories from the fixture can be of benefit to Paddy Tally's side.

He added: "I think when you go in with that belief that you're able to beat this Dublin side, it goes and stands a long way because there are many teams who go out against Dublin and they feel that they're beaten before they go out and that's not the case with this Derry group."

The game will take place at Pairc Esler in Newry and the former Ulster winning captain believes the venue will suit Derry better as Dublin move away from the comforts of Croke Park and into an Ulster provincial arena.

"That helps Derry, it has to you would think, but Dublin have shown and you would see that they don't like being categorised as a team that can't play outside Croke Park.

"Derry need a performance this weekend and more than that they need to find a way to win ugly if required because the only currency that really matters in championship football is victory and Dublin will be aware of that, Derry will be aware of that.

"You don't get through to the next round after a good performance and not having won the game. Winning is all that really matters in Championship football and that's why it's set up for such a good game because the stakes are so high and it's a proper knockout game."

David Mohan
BBC Sport NI journalist

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Despite falling to defeat to Mayo last time out, Tyrone manager Malachy O'Rourke has opted to stick with the same starting team for Sunday's crunch Group One clash with Cavan in the All-Ireland SFC.

Both teams head into Sunday's showdown in Enniskillen with their fate firmly in their own hands in terms of progression from the group phase with all four teams locked on two points.

Despite their disappointing display against Mayo in Omagh a fortnight back, O'Rourke has opted to keep the faith with the starting line-up, but there is good news amongst the subs with Padraig Hampsey and Brian Kennedy part of the squad after missing out two weeks ago through injury.

Also named on the bench for the Red Hands is Eoin McElholm who this week was selected as the U20 Player of the Year, following Tyrone's All-Ireland success at the grade.

For Cavan, manager Raymond Galligan makes two changes to the team that was swept aside by Donegal in their second outing of the competition.

Oisin Brady comes into the half-forward line with Oisin Kiernan dropping out, prompting a number of positional switches, while Paddy Lynch has also been given the nod this week with Sean McEvoy forced to content himself with a place on the bench.

Tyrone: Niall Morgan; Cormac Quinn, Peter Teague, Niall Devlin; Michael McKernan, Rory Brennan, Kieran McGeary; Ben McDonnell, Conn Kilpatrick; Seanie O'Donnell, Mattie Donnelly, Ciaran Daly; Darren McCurry, Mark Bradley, Darragh Canavan.

Subs: Oisin O'Kane, Aidan Clarke, Padraig Hampsey, Frank Burns, Michael O'Neill, Brian Kennedy, Cathal Donaghy, Peter Harte, Conor Meyler, Eoin McElholm, Ruairi Canavan.

Cavan: Liam Brady; Niall Carolan, Killian Brady, Cian Reilly; Brian O'Connell, Ciaran Brady, Padraig Faulkner; Ryan Donohoe, Evan Crowe; Gerard Smith, Dara McVeety, Oisin Brady; Cormac O'Reilly, Paddy Lynch, Cian Madden.

Subs: Gary O'Rourke, Luke Fortune, Killian Clarke, Oisin Kiernan, Jason McLoughlin, Ruairi Curran, Luke Molloy, Gearoid McKiernan, Thomas Edward Donohoe, Ryan O'Neill, Sean McEvoy.

Patton back between the posts for Donegal

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The other game in Group One between Donegal and Mayo hosts equal jeopardy with the very real prospect of one of the pair's ambitions of All-Ireland glory ending by Sunday night.

Both enter this game off the back of morale-boosting wins over Cavan and Tyrone respectively and Donegal boss Jim McGuinness makes some changes from the team that swept past the Breffnimen.

There is a huge boost between the posts with Shaun Patton back in goal this week, while there are two outfield changes as Daire O Baoill and Oisin Gallen come in for Caolan McColgan and team captain, Patrick McBrearty.

Mayo also ring the changes for this key clash in Roscommon with Dylan Thornton and Jordan Flynn replacing Sean Morahan and Bob Tuohy.

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Ban Gallagher Ciaran Moore; Hugh McFadden, Michael Langan; Daire O Baoill, Ciaran Thompson, Shane O'Donnell; Conor O'Donnell, Michael Murphy, Oisin Gallen.

Subs: Danny Rodgers, Stephen McMenamin, Odhran McFadden-Ferry, Mark Curran, Odhran Doherty, Aaron Doherty, Patrick McBrearty, Jamie Brennan, Eoin McHugh, Caolan McColgan, Jason McGee

Mayo: Colm Reape; Jack Coyne, Rory Brickenden, Enda Hession; Stephen Coen, David McBrien, Paddy Durcan; Dylan Thornton, Matthew Ruane; Conal Dawson, Jack Carney, Jordan Flynn; Aidan O'Shea, Darren McHale, Ryan O'Donoghue.

Subs: Adrian Phillips, Bob Tuohy, Davitt Neary, Diarmuid O'Connor, Donnacha McHugh, Fenton Kelly, Fergal Boland, Frank Irwin, Paul Towey, Sam Callinan, Sean Morahan.

O'Callaghan makes the Dublin bench for Derry clash

Both Derry and Dublin make one change ahead of their crucial Group Four clash in Newry on Saturday evening.

Oak Leaf manager Paddy Tally has Odhran Lynch back in goals in place of Ben McKinless in what is their only change to the XV which started in the draw against Galway two weeks ago.

There is a boost amongst the subs with Conor McClusky available once again having recovered from a groin injury.

Dublin manager Dessie Farrell also makes a change from the team which lost to Armagh as John Small comes in to replace Colm Basquel, but like Derry, there is a major boost on the bench with Con O'Callaghan back in the matchday 26.

Derry: Odhran Lynch; Diarmuid Baker, Eoin McEvoy, Patrick McGurk; Conor Doherty, Brendan Rogers, Padraig McGrogan; Conor Glass, Dan Higgins; Ethan Doherty, Paul Cassidy, Ciaran McFaul; Shane McGuigan, Niall Loughlin, Niall Toner.

Subs: Ben McKinless, Conor McCluskey, Ryan Mulholland, Danny McDermott, Tommy Rogers, Anton Tohill, Ruairi Forbes, Lachlan Murray, Cahir McMonagle, Caolan Devlin, Ben McCarron

Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; Sean MacMahon, Theo Clancy, David Byrne; Brian Howard, John Small, Alex Gavin; Peadar O'Cofaigh-Byrne, Killian McGinnis; Ciaran Kilkenny, Sean Bugler, Niall Scully; Paddy Small, Lorcan O'Dell, Cormac Costello.

Subs: Evan Comerford, Luke Breathnach, Nathan Doran, Lee Gannon, Tom Lahiff, Greg McEnaney, Ross McGarry, Eoin Murchan, Cian Murphy, Con O'Callaghan, Eoghan O'Donnell.

McGeeney makes changes for Galway clash

Armagh head into Saturday's Group Four fixture against Galway safe in the knowledge they have an All-Ireland quarter-final to look forward to and manager Kieran McGeeney has opted to make a couple of switches from the team that downed the Dubs two weeks ago.

Niall Grimley comes into the midfield in place of Ben Crealey, while in attack, Stefan Campbell replaces Rory Grugan. There is also a place on the bench for Aaron McKay who found the net when the counties met in last year's All-Ireland final.

Galway head into this game with real pressure as they seek to reach the preliminary quarter-final stage and manager Padraig Joyce has opted to go with Sean Fitzgerald at full-back in place of Sean Mulkerrin, while Cein Darcy comes into the attack and Damien Comer is also fit for a place on the bench.

Armagh: Ethan Rafferty; Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge, Peter McGrane; Ross McQuillan, Tiernan Kelly, Jarlath Og Burns; Jason Duffy, Niall Grimley; Darragh McMullan, Rian O'Neill, Oisin Conaty; Stefan Campbell, Andrew Murnin, Conor Turbitt.

Subs: Blaine Hughes, Tomas McCormack, Greg McCabe, Connaire Mackin, Aaron McKay, Joe McElroy, Cian McConville, Callum O'Neill, Aidan Forker, Shane McPartlan, Jemar Hall.

Galway: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Sean Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, Sean Kelly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Cillian McDaid, Robert Finnerty, Cein Darcy; Matthew Tierney, Shane Walsh, Matthew Thompson.

Subs: Conor Flaherty, Daniel O'Flaherty, Cathan Sweeney, Kieran Molloy, Sean O Maoilchiaran, Peter Cooke, John Daly, Cian Hernon, Johnny Heaney, Tomo Culhane, Damien Comer.

Guinness returns for Down

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Top spot and a straight path into the All-Ireland quarter-finals is on offer in Armagh as Ulster rivals Monaghan and Down meet in a top-of-the-table clash in Group Three.

Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan has been forced into a switch with the injured Gary Mohan replaced by Gavin McPhillips, while Killian Lavelle is also missing an in his comes Andrew Woods.

Down manager Conor Laverty is handed a boost as Daniel Guinness, who missed out on the win over Louth due to injury, is back into the starting team

Down: Ronan Burns; Patrick McCarthy, Peter Fegan, Ceilum Doherty; Ryan Magill, Pierce Laverty, Miceal Rooney; Daniel Guinness, Ryan McEvoy; Danny Magill, Odhran Murdock, Eugene Branagan; James Guinness, Pat Havern, John McGeough.

Subs: John O'Hare, Finn McElroy, Aaron McClements, Donal Scullion, Shay Millar, Adam Crimmins, Oisin Savage, Caolan Mooney, Finn Murdock, Patrick Brooks, Conor McCrickard.

Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Ryan Wylie, Kieran Duffy, Dylan Byrne; Ryan O'Toole, Dessie Ward, Conor McCarthy; Micheal McCarville, Gavin McPhillips; Stephen O'Hanlon, Micheal Bannigan, Ryan McAnespie; Jack McCarron, Andrew Woods, Stephen Mooney.

Subs: Kian Mulligan, Ronan Boyle, Louis Kelly, Darren Hughes, Aaron Carey, Ciaran McNulty, Barry McBennett, Killian Lavelle, Jason Irwin, David Garland, Karl O'Connell

Cullen back for Fermanagh's Tailteann tilt

Fermanagh host Sligo in a Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final on Saturday and back into the defence comes Che Cullen who sat out the group win over Wexford, meaning Luke Flanagan drops to the bench.

For Sligo manager Tony McEntee, it's as you were as he sticks with the same team that began their loss against Kildare which ensured they must take the scenic route to the latter stages.

Fermanagh: Sean McNally; Che Cullen, Lee Cullen, Oisin Smyth; Shane McGullion, Declan McCusker, Fionan O'Brien; Joe McDade, Darragh McGurn; Conor McGee, Ryan Lyons, Ronan McCaffrey; Josh Largo Ellis, Garvan Jones, Conor Love.

Subs: Ross Bogue, Luke Flanagan, Sean Cassidy, Diarmuid Owens, Glenn Treacy, Aogan Kelm, Jack Largo Ellis, Oisin Murphy, Jonathan Cassidy, Brandon Horan, Paul Breen.

Sligo: Aidan Devaney; Evan Lyons, Eddie McGuinness, Paul McNamara; Mikey Gordon, Jack Lavin, Luke Towey; Canice Mulligan, Patrick O'Connor; Alan Reilly, David Quinn, Cian Lally; Alan McLoughlin, Niall Murphy, Shane Deignan.

Subs: Daniel Lyons, Ross Doherty, Lee Deignan, Dylan Walsh, Paul Kilcoyne, Eoghan Smith, Donal Conlon, Pat Spillane, Brian Cox, Peter Laffey, Oisin Flynn.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI Senior Journalist

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Eoin McElholm says Tyrone "should always be pushing" for All-Ireland titles but insists manager Malachy O'Rourke is keeping the team grounded ahead of Sunday's pivotal Group One game against Cavan (16:15 BST).

Tyrone, Cavan, Donegal and Mayo all enter the final round of the round-robin stage locked on two points after two games.

The Red Hands have been talked about as All-Ireland contenders after securing an impressive win over Ulster champions Donegal in Ballybofey, but McElholm says the players are paying no heed to outside noise.

"That's what Malachy's good at, keeping us grounded," said McElholm, who is fresh off being named the Under-20 Footballer of the Year after helping his county secure back-to-back All-Ireland crowns at the grade.

"Obviously Tyrone always should be All-Ireland contenders, just for such a good footballing county and the amount of quality in the team.

"We should always be pushing for an All-Ireland and people are going to say we're all All-Ireland contenders, but Malachy has pushed us right down to Earth and says 'you're as good as your last game', so hopefully we can put up a good performance on Sunday.

In between the All-Ireland Under-20 semi-final and final, McElholm featured for the Tyrone seniors in the opening round-robin win over Donegal.

He did not feature in the defeat by Mayo last time out, but was introduced in Tyrone's Ulster quarter-final win over Cavan in Omagh in April.

Tyrone will top the group and advance to the quarter-finals if they beat Cavan and Donegal beat Mayo on Sunday.

O'Rourke's side will also finish top if they win and Donegal and Mayo play out a draw, which would knock Cavan out. Second place would earn Tyrone a home preliminary quarter-final, while third would mean an away game.

"We just need to go in and boost our performance from the last day," added McElholm.

"If we win, we win, but we just need a good performance from everyone and good energy from the whole team."

All of this weekend's round-robin games will be played at neutral venues, with Tyrone and Cavan meeting at Brewster Park in Enniskillen, where McElholm won an Ulster Minor title with the Red Hands in 2021.

"The venue should be irrelevant and it's the same for every player on the pitch whether you like it or not," he said.

"I have good memories there, I played in an Ulster Minor final at Brewster and beat Donegal in it so personally I like Brewster.

"Other players might not have good memories there but it's about coming together and getting through it."

Image source, Getty Images

Tyrone's Eoin McElholm says being named the GAA's Under-20 Footballer of the Year is "unreal".

McElholm starred as the Red Hands secured back-to-back All-Ireland titles, his 6-24 championship haul including 2-4 in the victory over Louth in last month's final.

The Loughmacrory forward was one of six Tyrone players, alongside Conan McGarvey, Joey Clarke, Caolan Donnelly, Callum Daly and Ruairi McCullagh, named in the under-20 team of the year, with Donegal's Kevin Muldoon and Seanan Carr also selected.

"It's something I dreamed of when I started playing under-20s," McElholm told BBC Sport NI.

"To win the All-Ireland and win this as well is unreal."

McElholm has also featured for the Tyrone seniors this year, coming off the bench in last month's All-Ireland round-robin win over Donegal in Ballybofey.

"I've balanced it well," he added.

"Malachy [O'Rourke, senior manager] and Paul [Devlin, under-20 boss] have definitely communicated well. If I needed to be at senior training I'd be there and if I needed to go to under-20s training I'd be there so it's worked out well and I got the best out of it."

McElholm also highlighted the importance of the under-20 grade for young players hoping to break through into senior football.

"It's a stepping stone but it's also a competition in itself that will be remembered for years by the boys that won it.

"It's an unbelievable reward, winning the Under-20 and especially a few boys in the team, including me, won it back-to-back."

Under-20 Team of the Year: Conan McGarvey (Tyrone); Padraic Tinnelly (Louth), Joey Clarke (Tyrone), Caolan Donnelly (Tyrone); Tadhg McDonnell (Louth), Callum Daly (Tyrone), Hugh O'Loughlin (Mayo); Sean Callaghan (Louth), James Maguire (Louth); Kevin Muldoon (Donegal), Eoin McElholm (Tyrone), Seanan Carr (Donegal); Ruairi McCullagh (Tyrone), Tomas Kennedy (Kerry), Darragh Beirne (Mayo)

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GAA president Jarlath Burns has welcomed the government's "important and significant" contribution for the redevelopment of Casement Park, but added it is not the "final piece of the jigsaw".

A £50m commitment for the west Belfast stadium project was confirmed as part of chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spending Review on Wednesday.

Rebuilding the stadium, which has been derelict since 2013, will cost approximately £260m, of which £120m was already in place from the Stormont Executive (£62.5m), the Irish government (about £43m) and the GAA (£15m).

That still leaves a shortfall of around £90m, although the GAA previously acknowledged it will need to increase its commitment.

In its statement, the GAA said Wednesday's announcement was a "crucial milestone that will be a key catalyst" in redeveloping the 34,500-capacity stadium.

"From taking office, the secretary of state (Hilary Benn) has been clear that Casement Park needs to be delivered," said Burns.

"He recognised the GAA's commitment and goodwill in sharing venues for the benefit of everyone in our society, dating back to the Maze Long Kesh project, and more recently offering Casement Park as a Euro 2028 Championship venue.

"His support and that of the UK Government now represents a critical opportunity to finish this NI Executive flagship project, delivering the last remaining stadium of the 14-year Regional Stadia Programme, and helping to leave a lasting legacy not only for the Gaels of Antrim and Ulster, but for all of society."

Burns added: "We know, however, that this is not the final piece of [the] jigsaw and there is much more work to do. The GAA will engage directly, with the NI Executive and the Department for Communities to ensure that all parties actively pursue, and secure, a full funding package that will deliver upon the GAA's strategic stadium need."

Ulster GAA president Michael Geoghegan said: "With this announcement there is now growing momentum and belief that Antrim's home and Ulster's provincial stadium is a step closer.

"We look forward to the project getting started and hosting some of the largest, most exciting and significant games on the island of Ireland while also significantly adding to economic recovery and regeneration in Belfast and beyond."

Casement Park: All you need to know about the stadium soap opera

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GAA president Jarlath Burns says the All-Ireland Senior Football and Hurling finals could be pushed back to August from 2027.

While the two showpieces games were traditionally played in September, they have been staged in July since 2022 as part of the split-season model.

Earlier this year, Burns said the finals would not be moved to August in 2026, but a proposal to tweak the calendars could now be considered at Special Congress in October.

Speaking at the launch of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship on Tuesday, Burns said: "Croke Park operates with regard to its priorities and how it does its business a year in advance. So, already, because we hadn't made a decision on that, August 2026 is taken up. That puts August 2027 into the mix.

"I'm around the country all the time, in clubs and counties every single day of the week, and the thing that I get most debate on are the timings of the All-Ireland finals.

"And there is a school of thought that is saying that first and third weeks in August, leaving everything as it is, okay, first and third weeks in August."

Burns, whose term as president ends in February 2027, also said he favours provincial finals being decided by replays.

Cork beat Limerick on penalties in last weekend's Munster Hurling decider while Burns' native Armagh lost Ulster Football final shootouts in 2023 and 2024.

"I suppose that brings that into focus as well," added Burns.

"There are people who are very favourable towards the preliminary quarter-finals, but we will always be led by what the counties want. We decided that we would hold that particular one back.

"You don't have to talk to me above anybody else about replays and provincial finals. We've (Armagh) lost three now, two quarter-finals, on penalties. I would be very much in favour of replays where at all possible."

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Fermanagh will host Sligo in this weekend's Tailteann Cup quarter-finals.

The Ernemen earned their spot in the last eight by finishing top of group four with two wins from three.

Their game with Sligo will take place on Saturday at Brewster Park, with a 17:00 BST throw-in.

Kildare will face Offaly - who are joint-managed by Mickey Harte - in a repeat of the Division Three final, while Limerick host Wexford, who hammered Antrim in Sunday's preliminary quarter-final.

The Kildare v Offaly game in Newbridge will be preceded by the All-Ireland Hurling preliminary quarter-final between Joe McDonagh Cup winners Kildare and Dublin.

Oisin McConville's Wicklow will host Westmeath, who were the first Tailteann Cup winners in 2022, in Aughrim on Sunday.

Tailteann Cup quarter-final draw (times BST)

Saturday 14 June

Fermanagh v Sligo, Brewster Park, 17:00

Kildare v Offaly, Newbridge, 18:30

Sunday 15 June

Wicklow v Westmeath, Echelon Park, 13:15

Limerick v Wexford, Gaelic Grounds, 15:45

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Antrim's season ended in dismal fashion as they crashed out of the Tailteann Cup with a 5-23 to 2-21 defeat by Wexford in the preliminary quarter-finals.

Having narrowly earned a spot in the prelims as the third best of the third-placed teams in the round-robin stage, Andy McEntee's side hoped to stage another stirring run through the knockout rounds after back-to-back semi-final appearances in 2023 and 2024.

But they were well beaten in Wexford Park as they were put to the sword by the Model County's full-forward line of Sean Nolan (2-3), Ben Brosnan (1-2) and Jack Higgins (0-3).

Goals from Nolan and Brosnan, and a couple of Darragh Brooks two-pointers, helped Wexford establish a commanding 2-14 to 0-7 lead at the break.

And John Hegarty's side pulled clear after the restart and led by 22 points at 4-21 to 0-11 with 12 minutes left after Nolan and Mark Rossiter added to their goal tally.

To Antrim's credit, they refused to give up as quickfire goals by Patrick Finnegan and Dominic McEnhill and three two-pointers helped them reduce the deficit to eight points.

However, substitute Robbie Brooks added a fifth goal for Wexford to bring the curtain down on a disappointing year for Antrim, who were also relegated from Division Three.

Fermanagh, who qualified for the quarter-finals by topping their group, are the sole Ulster representation left in this year's Tailteann Cup.

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Cork ended Limerick's long reign in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship in the most dramatic fashion, winning 3-2 in the competition's first penalty shootout after an extraordinary final ended in a draw after extra-time.

Conor Lehane, Shane Kingston and Alan Connolly netted penalties for Cork, and while Diarmuid Byrnes and Aaron Gillane converted for Limerick, misses by Barry Murphy and Declan Hannon either side of Patrick Collins' save from Tom Morrissey handed the Rebels their first provincial triumph since 2018.

In front of a crowd of 43,580, Cork midfielder Darragh Fitzgibbon drilled over a '65 in added time at the end of extra-time to force penalties after 90-plus minutes in the Gaelic Grounds ended 1-30 to 2-27.

Aidan O'Connor and Shane O'Brien scored goals in either half in regulation for Limerick, with Shane Barrett raising Cork's green flag.

Limerick, who were chasing a seventh consecutive title, now drop into the All-Ireland quarter-finals while last season's beaten finalists Cork progress to the last four.

"Our fellas really dug in. It took an awful lot of effort over the last three weeks," Cork boss Pat Ryan told RTE.

"We were embarrassed when we came up here the last time [losing by 16 points in the round-robin stage]. We had to get over Waterford [in the last game], which was a really tough game.

"I knew the lads were going to fight on their backs today."

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Meath and Armagh played out a thrilling 3-8 to 2-11 draw in their All-Ireland Ladies SFC opener at Pairc Tailteann.

The Orchard County led by four with less than three minutes left to play before substitute Shauna Ennis hit the net for the hosts and Vikki Wall kicked an equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game.

In a meeting of the two big hitters in Group Three it was level at the break as 2-4 played 1-7.

Wall hit the first goal of the game, punishing some slack Armagh defensive play on 11 minutes.

Aoife McCoy replied with a major for the Ulster champions before Aoibhinn Cleary added a second home goal on the whistle.

Armagh, who contested this years Division One league final, outscored their hosts 1-4 to 0-1 in the 15 minutes after half-time with Niamh Reel and McCloy on target before Kelly Mallon added a second goal to give the Orchard county a four-point lead.

Meath didn't register their first second half score until the 47th minute through Emma Duggan.

Caroline O'Hanlon tapped over a free to put her side four up with less than three minutes to play.

There only looked to be one winner before Ennis' goal and Wall's late leveller shared the points.

Meath will go to Kildare next weekend while Armagh will host the Lilywhites in a fortnight with both sides looking to secure home advantage in the last eight.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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Armagh's Mark Shields admits coming out as a gay inter-county footballer was "daunting", but says it was "important to tell my own story" as he publicly discussed his sexuality for the first time.

An All-Ireland winner with the Orchard County in 2024, Shields spoke about coming out in the GAA world at the Gaelic Players Association's annual Pride Brunch last weekend.

Shields is the first active male inter-county player to speak about being gay since former Cork hurler Donal Og Cusack, while Kevin Penrose - who plays for Tyrone club Aghyaran - spoke about his experience on The GAA Social earlier this year.

Shields says he hopes his story will help young Gaelic games players who are struggling to express their sexuality.

"I feel it's just important to tell my own story of 12-15 years playing inter-county, my experience of coming through the ranks, being a senior inter-county player in the male GAA environment," said Shields in a video posted on the GPA's Instagram account.

"It was a daunting task coming out, whenever it was, about 10-12 years. The culture has changed within society, within the group in Armagh. I feel that I can express myself more. The group are more accepting.

"The language used around the group is changing. There's people standing up for people, for myself in the group, whereas maybe that didn't happen that much before. I think the culture is changing within the GAA itself."

'I hope telling my story will help younger players'

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Whitecross club-man Shields says some of the language previously used in changing rooms was "hurtful", but that he feels more supported within the GAA now.

"It's been excellent to have allyships and people advocating for it in social media, and around GAA set-ups, and the GPA," he said.

"I hope speaking out and telling my story will help that younger player, be it male or female, non-binary to express themselves in the GAA environment."

Shields added that speaking to his sister helped him before he came out.

"I had to find someone I trusted in, that was my sister," he said.

"I spoke to my sister a lot, and would have a close relationship with her, my partner as well. It's finding that someone you trust and you want to express yourself to them.

"I found that very helpful whenever I was trying to tell my story and trying to come out. They were the ones that stood by me throughout and supported me whenever I felt down or low in the dumps or in a dark place.

"It doesn't have to be in front of a group; it can be a one-to-one conversation with someone. That's how I found it easier, to have that walk on the beach, in a forest or just chatting to someone over a coffee. That was the easiest way for myself."

This week's GAA Social podcast sees Oisin and Thomas joined by All-Ireland winner Johnny Glynn.

The Galway hurler helped his county lift the Liam McCarthy in 2017 and also played Gaelic football for New York.

Along with stories from playing in the US and in an All-Ireland final, Johnny and host Thomas share some of their more personal experiences with miscarriages in a discussion described by co-host Oisin as a "privilege" to listen to.

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

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Pairc Esler will host Derry and Dublin's crucial All-Ireland fixture next weekend.

Dublin go into the concluding games of the round-robin series, all of which will be played at neutral venues, on two points from two games played.

After their dramatic draw with Galway on Sunday, Derry have a solitary point.

Throw-in on Saturday, 14 June is set for 18:30 BST.

In the pool's other fixture, throwing in at the same time, Armagh's repeat of last year's final against Galway will be staged at Breffni Park in Cavan.

Kieran McGeeney's All-Ireland champions are the only side already through to the quarter-finals.

Earlier on 14 June, Kerry will play Meath at O'Connor Park, while Roscommon against Cork will take place in Laois (both 16:15 BST).

The next day, top spot in Group Three will be up for grabs when Down meet Monaghan at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh with a 14:00 BST throw-in.

Elsewhere in the group Louth and Clare, both still searching for a first win of the series, will meet at the same time at O'Moore Park.

The finely poised conclusion in Group One sees all four sides having won one and lost one so far.

With 16:00 BST throw-ins on Sunday, 15 June, Ulster champions Donegal will play Mayo at Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon, while Tyrone and Cavan meet at Brewster Park.

In each group, the winners will progress straight to the last eight, with those finishing second and third advancing to the preliminary quarter-finals.

All-Ireland round-robin round three fixtures

Saturday, 14 June

Group Two: Kerry v Meath, O'Connor Park (16:15 BST); Roscommon v Cork, O'Moore Park (16:15 BST)

Group Four: Armagh v Galway, Breffni Park (18:30 BST); Dublin v Derry, Pairc Esler (18:30 BST)

Sunday, June 15

Group Three: Louth v Clare, O'Moore Park (14:00 BST); Monaghan v Down, Athletic Grounds (14:00 BST)

Group One: Donegal v Mayo, Dr Hyde Park (16:00 BST); Tyrone v Cavan, Brewster Park (16:00 BST)