Irish News in Sport Blog December 2025
GAA
Ulster Hurling Championship
Derry champions Slaughtneil claimed back-to-back Ulster hurling titles following their 13-point win over St Johns. St Johns, competing in their first Ulster final in 52 years, started aggressively and held the reigning champions to a slow start. It took until midway through the second half for Slaughtneil to pull clear, with the excellence of Cormac O’Doherty they stretched the lead to double digits in the last 10 minutes.
Munster Hurling Championship
Ballygunner put themselves on top of the Munster hurling roll of honour, claiming their 6th Munster crown in their win over Éire Óg. Despite a decent start for the Clare side, Ballygunner leaned on their experience to finish 9 point victors, with county star Dessie Hutchinson dazzling, scoring 0-7 in a man of the match performance. It was a proud day for the club, taking over Blackrock to become the most successful Munster hurling side with their 6th title, 5 of those titles coming in the past 8 years.
Ulster Football Championship
Newbridge and Scotstown met for the second time in their refixed semi-final following the first game being abandoned at half time due to weather conditions. This game turned out to be a blockbuster, taking extra time and eventually penalties to decide who would meet Kilcoo in the Ulster final. Scotstown looked to have booked their place in the final, leading by 9 points with 15 minutes remaining. Newbridge were given a lifeline through Sean Young’s 2 pointer, and Conor McAteer grasping the equaliser in both normal and extra time. Scotstown claimed their victory winning 4-2 on penalties.
Leinster Football Championship
Athy’s successful year has been extended to Leinster final berth, beating Laois champions Portarlington. Kildare star Niall Kelly gave an inspiring performance for his side, scoring 0-10 in total and proving the difference between the sides. This sets up a clash with Dublin champions Ballyboden.
Staring out as early favourites for provincial and All Ireland success, Ballyboden cemented the hype behind them with a clinical semi final win over Tullamore. Leading by 14 points at half time, they pressed on to finish 15-point victors. Athy, their final opponents, will have to keep an eye for Ryan O’Dwyer and Daire Sweeney, who contributed 14 points between them.
Connacht Football Championship
St Brigid’s continued their march toward the All-Ireland stages as they were crowned Connacht champions as they defeated Galway winners Moycullen. The Galway champions will rue missed chances to have won the game, but St Brigids used their experience to fight back and struck the crucial score of the game through Ruaidhrí Fallon’s goal.
Camogie
All Ireland Semi-Finals
St Finbarr’s edged an unforgettable semi-final, defeating Loughgiel Shamrocks 3-15 to 3-14 after two periods of extra time. Early goals from Orlaith Cahalane and Sorcha McCartan gave the Barr’s the ideal start, but Loughgiel roared back through Róisín McCormick, Caitrin Dobbin and Annie Lynn, forcing extra time after a second-half surge. With both sides trading goals and frees in a chaotic finish, it was Ciara Golden who finally split the posts with the winning score deep into the final period, sealing a historic All-Ireland final place for the Cork champions.
Athenry claimed a hard-earned 1-9 to 0-10 victory over Dicksboro in a tight, tactical semi-final where Jessica Gill’s first-half goal proved decisive. Dicksboro started strongest with early points from Rachel Dowling and Aoife Prendergast, but Athenry settled, defended superbly through Dervla Higgins and Sabina Rabbitte, and edged in front by half-time. The second half was a battle of frees and defensive organisation, with Prendergast keeping Dicksboro in touch, but Athenry’s composure and work-rate saw them control the closing stages and hold out for a place in the All-Ireland final.
All Ireland Ladies Football Semi-Finals
St Ergnat’s Moneyglass produced a historic comeback to dethrone Kilmacud Crokes and reach their first ever All-Ireland senior club final, overturning a half-time deficit to win 1-12 to 1-10 in Páirc de Burca. Crokes looked on track early on, with Éabha Rutledge and Niamh Cotter on target before Michelle Davoren palmed in a 26th-minute goal that helped the Dublin champions lead 1-5 to 0-6 at the break. Moneyglass, inspired by the outstanding Cathy Carey and Maria O’Neill, fought back and gained momentum in a second half surge. Carey and Eleanor Mallon kicked key scores to level, before Carey nudged the Antrim side in front. O’Neill then struck a brilliant goal to push them four clear, and although Crokes rallied with three late points from Cotter to cut the gap to one, substitute JoJo Darragh landed a nerveless insurance point in stoppage time to seal a famous 1-12 to 1-10 victory and send Moneyglass through to Croke Park.
Reigning champions Kilkerrin-Clonberne booked yet another All-Ireland final appearance with a dominant 1-11 to 0-3 win over Comeragh Ranger. The Galway side broke down the Waterford champions, restricting them to just three points over the hour while gradually building a winning lead through the dangerous Olivia Divilly and Eva Noone. The key moment came before half-time when Aisling Madden hit the only goal of the game, giving the side chasing five-in-a-row daylight at the interval. With their defence completely on top and their forwards ruthless from play and from frees, Kilkerrin-Clonberne controlled the second half, adding further points from Divilly and Noone to coast home and set up a final showdown with Moneyglass.
NFL
Former Down and Mayobridge goalkeeper Charlie Smyth made his NFL debut for the New Orleans Saints. In his first regular-season action, Smyth immediately made an impact, from 56 yards out, he split the uprights for a field goal.
Then, late in the game, with the Saints needing momentum, Smyth delivered again executing a well-judged onside kick that successfully gave his team a chance to fight back. Though the Saints ultimately fell short, Smyth’s debut was very promising with many fans praising his performance.
League of Ireland
Derry City have confirmed the signings of both Rob Slevin and Darragh Markey. In a transfer window where Candystripes boss Tiernan Lynch has promised more signings, the club have been busy so far. On top of this, captain Mark Connolly, Sam Todd, Shane Ferguson, Robbie Benson, Danny Mullen, and Hayden Cann all parting ways with the club.