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Irish Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rory Grugan felt like Armagh had 'something special' and wanted to go again
Rory Grugan was 33 when he helped Armagh land the All-Ireland title - but walking away never entered his head. It was a long and painful climb to the top with plenty of heartache along the way, including back to back Ulster Final penalty shoot out defeats and All-Ireland exits (2022/23). But the idea of 'One and Done' wasn't something the Ballymacnab playmaker entertained for a second. 10 months on from that famous All-Ireland Final win over Galway, Armagh are back in the last eight again and looking formidable. Their five point victory over Dublin at Croke Park at the weekend meant Kieran McGeeney's men not only topped the table for the third successive year, but they also made another piece of history. Armagh became the only side across the three years of the round robin series to qualify for an All-Ireland quarter-final with a game to spare. 'I think when you reach that pinnacle there might be a perception on the outside like, oh you'd walk away or whatever,' says Grugan, who hit eight points against Dublin. 'I was 33 at the time. It was honestly the opposite - where you wanted to go again. 'You felt like you had something special and that was Geezer's thing straight away. It's just the way he is. It's about driving it again and seeing where it can take us. 'No team in Armagh has certainly done it (back to back All-Ireland titles). It's obviously a very long way away to be talking about that type of thing. 'I suppose it's something that drives you, and we are at a stage where we are at an All-Ireland quarter-final and we'll just see where it takes us from there.' Grugan says Armagh can use all the experience they had from the good days and the bad ones. 'I think we are in a position where we probably were frustrated,' he says. 'You were in danger of being given a tag of not getting over the line in a close game, or nearly men, or whatever you want to call it. 'Then when you get there and you win that thing, there's definitely a sense of it taking a certain element of pressure off and it liberating you a bit. 'You know that you have that reliance on your experience to get over the line and to win that. 'That when it comes to it, you think that you've been here before. That doesn't mean that it's easy. 'If anything it's actually harder because you have teams that are coming for you now, but I suppose that experience stands to you. You'd like to think that it helps as the year goes on.' Grugan had an easy sell for his team mates in the huddle at Croke Park last Sunday as Armagh geared up for a first Championship encounter with Dublin since 2010. 'You are talking about being one of the older players,' he continued. 'I think when you know you are closer to the end in your career, you relish these things. 'I said after the game last week (win over Derry) I've never played against Dublin in a Championship game in Croke Park. 'I know it wasn't a sellout but I suppose playing into the Hill, the sun shining in Croke Park. I said it to the boys in the huddle before the game. 'This is why you play football. If you can't enjoy that, there's something wrong with you. It's obviously easier when you win. Those are the days you relish, so we'll be looking forward to being back here.' Grugan is playing as well as he ever has, conducting the Armagh attack and weighing in with scores and big defensive plays. 'I think you always have to try and improve,' he says. 'The minute you feel like you are the finished product you are in the wrong game. 'Even the new rules have rejuvenated it for me. You are looking for new things all the time. How you can get better and whether that's defensively or with your shooting and different things. 'There is so much of my game I would like to be better at. You'll come away after the thing (Dublin game) and it's all great, but there's so much I know from both the team perspective and even my own that you could do better. 'That's what high performance is. You are always striving for perfection. You will never get there.' The 34 year old French teacher says Armagh won't be treating the Galway game lightly, even though it's a dead rubber for them. 'I don't think at this level taking a step back or having some sort of mindset of not wanting to win a game is a good thing,' he continued. 'Momentum is a big thing. You have two weeks to Galway and two weeks after that to an All-Ireland quarter-final. 'So I think we are going to be really going after it. We just have to take it as a normal game. I know it's not do or die in the sense of we have already topped the group. 'There is talk about the boys that want their spot. Everyone is going to be pushing on, so I think everyone has enough pride in the thing to be saying they want to go on and win that game. 'It means you are going into a quarter-final with momentum rather than coming off a loss.'
Irish Examiner
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Another milestone win as Armagh continue down the road
In Croke Park yesterday Armagh continued on their upward trajectory and emphasised that they have the Ulster Final defeat well and truly flushed from their system. They controlled the scoreboard, if not the match, for most of the contest. Their ability to win games even when the opposition have plenty of opportunities is fast becoming a hallmark. While not a perfect performance it is a statement result. Beating Dublin in Croke Park is a significant milestone on any team's journey and highlights the power shift away from the capital. The All-Ireland champions and All-Ireland series specialists are the first team into the quarter-finals which allows them the luxury of planning the month of June in a manner that best suits them, to set them up perfectly for the defence of their crown for knockout football. Armagh have all the signs of a team that have been on the road together for some time, and of a team that are extremely well coached. They tend to have the answers to whatever questions are being asked. They are able to shape-shift depending on what the opposition are throwing at them. Take Stefan Campbell's second-half point for example. As they set up an established attack they loaded up their full forward line to create space around the arc. Dublin were chasing the game and as Armagh probed they pushed out and went man-on-man defensively, rather than zonally protecting the arc. The All-Ireland champions immediately appreciated this and Campbell broke into the space left behind between the lines to accept a popped pass to kick a point. While it may look simple, in terms of coaching that is the point you are always trying to get to. To empower your players to make the right decisions in the moment depending on the situation they are being presented with. When that happens it is satisfying. This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Subscribe to access all of the Irish Examiner. Annual €120€60 Best value Monthly €10€4 / month Unlimited access. Subscriber content. Daily ePaper. Additional benefits.
Irish Independent
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming picks: Walking with Dinosaurs, Little Women and Surviving The Tunisia Beach Attack
The Sunday Game Live RTÉ2, 1.30pm A match from the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, followed by one in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship (throw-ins 2pm and 4pm). GAA Beo TG4, 5pm Coverage of the Ulster Final in the Electric Ireland Minor Football Championship. Presented by Micheál Ó Domhnaill. Walking with Dinosaurs BBC One, 6.25pm Twenty-five years after the groundbreaking first run, the documentary series returns. In eastern Montana, palaeontologists excavate the remains of a baby triceratops, who they call Clover, before we get an insight into the struggles she may have encountered 66 million years ago. Death Valley BBC One, 8.15pm Gwyneth Keyworth and Timothy Spall play a detective sergeant and an eccentric retired actor respectively, who team up to investigate a murder in his neighbourhood. Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh TG4, 9.25pm Ciara de Mórdha, Páidí Mhárthain Mac Gearailt, Noelie Ó Maoileoin, Sláine Ní Chathalláin, Eibhlín Ní Cheárna and Mossie Ó Scanláin perform the songs they associate most with west Kerry. ADVERTISEMENT Tomorrow Never Dies RTÉ2, 6.25pm Pierce Brosnan dons the James Bond tux for the second time. Intending to boost his global multimedia empire, Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce) attempts to ignite a conflict between Britain and China by sinking a frigate, so the British Secret Service sends 007 to investigate. Michelle Yeoh also stars. Little Women RTÉ One, 9.30pm Greta Gerwig directs this affectionate adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel. With their father away fighting in the Civil War, the four March sisters experience romance and tragedy. Saoirse Ronan, above, stars. Surviving The Tunisia Beach Attack Prime Video, streaming now In 2015, a single shooter killed 38 people in less than 40 minutes. Ten years later, survivors talk about their struggle for survival and the tragedy's lingering effects. Clarkson's Farm Prime Video, streaming now Be it for inheritance tax purposes or just a pure latent love of land, Clarkson is back. After wrapping up series three, the Diddly Squat crew return to find Kaleb touring the country and Lisa launching a new product line. This means Clarkson is left to 'manage it all'. Poor lamb. Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds Netflix, streaming now Experience the thrill (albeit second-hand) of flying with the US Air Force's Thunderbirds, witnessing the intense training, risks and dedication required to be part of this elite American institution who, essentially, do doughnuts in the sky and make Mother Nature cry. That's my two cents, anyway. Fountain of Youth AppleTV+, streaming now Estranged siblings John Krasinski and Natalie Portman go on a high-stakes global heist to find the legendary fountain, unlocking secrets that could grant immortality. Yep, you read that correctly. It also stars Domhnall Gleeson, Eiza González and Stanley Tucci. Also on Apple, we have Deaf President Now, which explores a pivotal but often overlooked civil rights movement. Fear Street: Prom Queen Netflix, streaming now Bit of an arbitrary time of year for slasher fare, but here we are. The 1988 prom at Shadyside High is a battleground as the dominant It Girls plot to win the title. However, the competition becomes lethal as candidates begin to die. Forget You Not Netflix, streaming now As a stand-up comedian and part-time convenience store employee, Cheng Le-le (Hsieh Ying-xuan) is finding that work/life balance tricky. If you throw her marital woes and her father's memory lapses into the mix, she's a woman on the brink.
RTÉ News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Armagh survive late Derry surge to claim home win
Armagh kept their All-Ireland title defence alive after withstanding a late, late comeback from Derry. Played at the Box-It Athletic Ground, the 14,979 fans got their value for money as Armagh raced into a 13-point lead before Derry whittled it back to four points but ran out of time. It means Sunday's clash between Armagh and Dublin in Croke Park will decide who tops the table heading into the last round while Derry are still in search for their first win this season when they welcome Galway to Celtic Park also on Sunday. NI Sports Minister Gordon Lyons was a guest at the Box-It Athletic Grounds but the loudest pre-match cheer came when Rian O'Neill's name was read out as the team was announced over the PA system. The pressure to win the opening game was cranked up following Dublin's narrow win over Galway, last weekend, which in itself indicates just how tight this Group 4 is expected to be. Armagh were boosted with the return of Crossmaglen's Rian O'Neill who made his first return in the Orchard jersey since last year's All-Ireland win. Although it came at a cost as Orchard captain Aidan Forker was ruled out with injury. Derry's young hot-shot Anton Tohill was a late change, getting the nod from manager Paddy Tally ahead of Niall Loughlin. The defending All-Ireland champions had confidently marched into a 13-point lead with second half goals from Barry McCambridge and Conor Turbitt and they looked to be comfortably inside the winner's enclosure but Derry deserve huge credit for making a fist of it. And the Oak Leafers could have got more from the game had Ethan Rafferty not been in such outstanding form. He denied Brendan Rogers and Tommy Rogers with stunning late saves. Armagh answered any questions about and Ulster Final hangover by marching into an early 0-05 to 0-01 lead. Conor Glass fisted over to open the scoring but Armagh hit back with Rory Grugan, Andy Murnin and Oisin Conaty lashing over three points in as many minutes. Then last year's Young Player of the Year Conaty swung over the first two-pointer of the game The lively Paul Cassidy grabbed his first of three first half points and Ruairi Forbes tagged on another before two points within two minutes from Rian O'Neill, which produced a loud cheer, and Ross McQuillan, which clipped off the inside of the far post. Armagh suffered a blow when Oisin O'Neill gingerly walked off but his replacement Conor Turbitt stroked over a two-pointer to give Armagh a 0-09 to 0-03 lead with 16 minutes gone. It was frantic football as Glass and Grugan traded scores and Darragh McMullan's two-point effort was denied by Derry keeper Ben McKinless, making his first championship start since 2018. A brace of points from Cassidy closed the gap and sparked a fine mini-comeback from the Oak Leafers. Glass, Ethan Doherty and the first from Shane McGuigan were on target to make it a three-point game at the break (0-12 to 0-09). However, Armagh came flying out of the blocks with four points in three minutes to go seven points ahead before Derry managed to get their hands on the ball. McQuillan grabbed his second with Armagh's first attack of the half, then fisted points from Jason Duffy and the impressive Jarly Og Burns followed before Murnin extended the Orchard lead. McCambridge's goal came on 39 minutes after he got a telling fist to Murnin's delivery and while McGuigan's two-pointer lifted Derry's spirits, Conor Turbitt grabbed Armagh's second goal with a tidy finish, with Patrick McGurk hanging out of him. Conaty and McQuillan kept the scoreboard ticking over and Armagh could have been forgiven for thinking about Dublin in Croke Park. But they almost paid the price. A beautiful daisy-cutter from Glass nestled sweetly into the corner of Rafferty's net as the game entered the final ten minutes. Substitute Dan Higgins rattled the Armagh net for Derry's second goal and all of the sudden the Oak Leafers smelt blood as the Orchard creaked. However, time favoured Armagh and top defender Paddy Burns provided a cool head before Joe McElroy bagged an important point for Kieran McGeeney's men as they ran out relieved four-point winners. Armagh: Ethan Rafferty, Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge (1-00), Peter McGrane, Ross McQuillan (0-04), Rian O'Neill (0-01) Jarly Og Burns (0-01), Jason Duffy (0-01), Ben Crealy, Darragh McMullan (0-01), Rory Grugan (0-03, 0-2 free), Oisin Conaty (0-04. 0-1tp ), Tiernan Kelly, Andrew Murnin (0-03), Oisin O'Neill. Subs: Conor Turbitt (1-02, 0-1tp) for O O'Neill (12'), Stefan Campbell for J Duffy (51'), Niall Grimley for R O'Neill (55'), Joe McElroy (0-01) for R Grugan (60'), Greg McCabe for McQuillan (62'), Derry: Ben McKinless, Patrick McGurk, Eoin McEvoy, Diarmuid Baker, Ruairi Forbes (0-01) Brendan Rogers, Padraig McGrogan (0-01, 45'), Conor Glass (1-03) , Conor Doherty, Ciaran McFaul, Paul Cassidy (0-05, 1tp), Ethan Doherty (0-01), Anton Tohill, Shane McGuigan (0-05, 1tp, 1tpf), Niall Toner (0-01, 0-1 free).
Irish Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
What time, TV channel is Donegal v Tyrone on today in All-Ireland Championship?
A bug in the camp ahead of the Armagh Ulster semi-final encounter didn't help Tyrone. They have more to give than they showed that day. This is a very difficult game for Donegal. Having seen off the best in Ulster in Armagh, Down, Monaghan and Derry, they now face another battle with an ambitious Ulster outfit looking for a scalp. Donegal beat Tyrone twice in last year's championship. Expect a kick in Tyrone in such a scenario. Darragh Canavan will be sharper after injury. Brendan McCole, a serious man marker, might tag him. Darren McCurry hit 10 points against Armagh, with the two point arc certainly suiting him general sharpness in terms of pulling the trigger. Oisin Gallen found his All Star form against Armagh in Donegal's Ulster Final win. Donegal have the greater range of scorers, but this could go anyway with Tyrone looking for that signature big win to mark their arrival as serious contenders under Malachy O'Rourke. Where is the game being played? The game is being played at MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey. What time is throw-in? Throw in is at 7pm. Can I watch the game on TV? No, the game is not on TV. Is the game being streamed online? The game is being live streamed on GAA+ Betting Odds: Donegal: 4/7 Draw: 8/1 Tyrone: 9/5
