National Football League: Donegal take big win over 14-man Armagh, Mayo best Tyrone in Castlebar

Aidan Forker sees red for Armagh in Ballybofey

Donegal's Conor O'Donnell in action against Armagh's Jason Duffy and Jemar Hall. Photograph: Andrew Paton/Inpho
Donegal's Conor O'Donnell in action against Armagh's Jason Duffy and Jemar Hall. Photograph: Andrew Paton/Inpho

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FULL-TIME SCORES

NFL Division 1:

Mayo 0-12 Tyrone 0-10; Donegal 0-21 Armagh 1-10

NFL Division 2:

Cavan 3-15 Louth 0-18; Roscommon 0-25 Monaghan 2-14

NFL Division 3:

Laois 0-23 Sligo 0-16; Clare 1-17 Fermanagh 1-15; Leitrim 0-7 Kildare 1-27; Offaly 4-19 Antrim 0-15

NFL Division 4:

London 0-11 Limerick 1-16; Waterford 0-9 Tipperary 1-14; Wicklow 2-15 Longford 0-12

NHL Division 1B: FT – Westmeath 1-19 Laois 4-18; Division 3: FT – Mayo 1-23 Cavan 2-14


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That’s all from me for today. Match reports and post-match comments to come.

Until next time, take it easy.


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And in case you missed it, here’s the moment of madness that sent Armagh captain Aidan Forker to the sidelines.

That’s one way to welcome Michael Murphy back to intercounty football...


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FULL-TIME: Donegal 0-21 Armagh 1-10: It’s all over in Ballybofey, and Donegal are sitting sweetly on top of Division One, with three wins from three games after a convincing victory over the All-Ireland champions, as Paddy McBrearty puts in another man-of-the-match performance, and Michael Murphy returns to the field of play as if he was never away.


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Donegal 0-21 Armagh 1-10: Murphy scores his third, this time from a free on 68 minutes, as Armagh fade further away.


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Donegal 0-20 Armagh 1-10: A mighty point from Ciaran Thomspon puts Donegal seven clear, before Cian McConcville gets one back for Armagh. Adhran Doherty then makes it 20 points for Donegal.


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Donegal 0-18 Armagh 1-9: Donegal intercept an Armagh attack and race straight down the field, McBrearty once again finishing off with his sweet left boot. In the next move, Michael Murphy fires just wide, and no doubting Donegal’s superiority now.


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Donegal 0-17 Armagh 1-9: Ethan Rafferty comes forward to strike a two-point free to give Armagh some hope on 55 minutes..


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Donegal 0-17 Armagh 1-7: Ciaran Thompson further extends Donegal’s lead on 54 minutes, the extra man starting to count.


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Donegal 0-16 Armagh 1-7: After Greg McCabe picks up another yellow card for Armagh, McBrearty easily converts the free.


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Donegal 0-15 Armagh 1-7: Another quick touch of the ball, a second point from play from Michael Murphy on 50 minutes. Gallen’s shot at goal moments later drifts just wide as Donegal take control again against 14-man Armagh.


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Donegal 0-14 Armagh 1-7: In his first possession, Murphy adds a beautiful point for Donegal from left of the posts, as if he never went away.


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Donegal 0-13 Armagh 1-07: Armagh are raising some spurt now, Andrew Murnin scoring their second two-pointer, followed by another wide by Armagh. As if on cue, McBrearty responds with another from play, and with that the comeback Michael Murphy is introduced by Donegal on 44 minutes.

He’s given a warm welcome by Aidan Forker - heated more like - who gets himself a straight red card.


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Donegal 0-12 Armagh 1-5: Oisin Gallen draws a mighty fine save from Ethan Rafferty, a let off for Armagh which might well have ended this contest.


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Donegal 0-12 Armagh 1-5: Back underway in Ballybofey, and after both teams strike an opening wide, Ben Crealey strikes a sweet two-pointer for Armagh.


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Meanwhile in the big Division 2 clash, Roscommon came through to win 0-24 to Monaghan’s 2-14, while also in Division 2, Cavan beat Louth 3-15 to 0-18.


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Donegal 0-12 Armagh 1-3: After another miss in front of goal by Armagh on 32 minutes, by McMullen, Ross McQuillan also misses from close range, even though from a tight angle left of the posts. In response, Donegal work the ball down the field and miss a chance of their own, Ciaran Thompson slicing just wide. Then in the last move of the half, Jason Duffy finally gets one back for Armagh.


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Donegal 0-12 Armagh 1-2: Worrying times for Armagh, as Ethan Rafferty concedes the free while trying to play the ball out, and Gallen easily converts on 30 minutes.


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Donegal 0-11 Armagh 1-2: Cool as he likes it, Ryan McHugh adds his second from play on 28 minutes, and once again the Armagh follow-up attack falls short, Jemar Hall shooting wide.


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Donegal 0-10 Armagh 1-2: All a bit too easy for Donegal, Conor O’Donnell breaking through to add his first point after 27 minutes, while the next Armagh attack again falls short.


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Donegal 0-9 Armagh 1-2: Donegal come again and are looking well impressive. McBrearty this time setting up Oisin Gallen for his first score on 25 minutes. The next Armagh attack runs out over the line and wide.


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Donegal 0-8 Armagh 1-2: Armagh may be winning the possession race, but are struggling to convert that to scores, as Donegal work another attacking move into a score for Ryan McHugh after 24 minutes.


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Donegal 0-7: Armagh 1-2: Another neat exhange of passes by Donegal, finished off by Jamie Brennan, and the home team edge a point clear. McBrearty then adds another from play after 17 minutes, and Jim McGuinness will be satisfied so far.


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Donegal 0-5 Armagh 1-2; A superb attacking move by Donegal the length of the field on 13 minutes is finished by McBrearty, and the sides are level.


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Donegal 0-4 Armagh 1-2: A well worked move is finished by Paddy McBrearty, and Donegal are responding well to the Armagh goal.


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Donegal 0-3 Armagh 1-2: After a two-point let off, Armagh race down the field, that move brilliantly finished into the top right corner of the net by Darragh McMullen after eight minutes. Peader Mogan gets one back for Donegal moments later.


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Donegal 0-2 Armagh 0-2: Another quick exchange of scores, the first by Jamie Brennan, before Darragh McMullen levels it again for Armagh after five minutes.


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Donegal 0-1 Armagh 0-1: A cool reply by Conor O’Donnell has the home team level in the next run of play.


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Donegal 0-0 Armagh 0-1: After Ryan McHugh misses a two-point effort for Donegal, Armagh come down the field and win a 45m free, converted by Ethan Rafferty after two minutes.


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It’s been 22 years since Armagh picked up a victory at Ballybofey, and that was back when they were the All-Ireland champions, the 2003 league meeting ending in a six-point win. Last year, Armagh suffered a one-point defeat to Donegal in the Division 2 final at Croke Park., then lost the penalty shootout in the Ulster final at Clones last May.


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Mayo 0-12 Tyrone: 0-10: After Michael McKernan picks up a second yellow card for Tyrone, Mayo hold up possession for the closing minute, and a close range point from Fergal Boland puts them two points in front just before the hooter, set up by O’Donoghue.

With that Kevin McStay’s team get their first points of the 2025 league campaign. It wasn’t always pretty, but after lording much of the possession for the first half, deserved.


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Mayo 0-10 Tyrone 0-10: All a bit frantic now, and after Tyrone miss two scoing chances, Cathal McShane wins the free left of goal, and neatly converts himself to level the sides again on 66 minutes.

Mayo 0-11 Tyrone 0-10: After Niall Morgan’s close range shot is blocked down, Mayo start a crazy chase down the field, and when Darren McHale is fouled, O’Donoghue converts on 68 minutes.


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Mayo 0-10 Tyrone: 0-9: Another goal chance goes astray for Mayo, before Frank Irwin’s point gives them back the lead on 60 minutes.


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Mayo 0-9 Tyrone 0-9: Jordan Flynn makes a searing run down field, passing off to Fergal Boland, who levels the scores after 58 minutes.


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Mayo 0-8 Tyrone 0-9: Ryan O’Donogue gets one back frmo a placed ball for Mayo, while Aidan O’Shea is introduced as a temporary replacement for the injured Davitt Neary after 55 minutes.


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Mayo 0-7 Tyrone 0-9: Niall Morgan almost waltzes through for Tyrone and scores again from close range.


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Mayo 0-7 Tyrone 0-8: Two lamentable wides in succession for Mayo, from Irwin and then Fergal Boland on 51 minutes.


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Meanwhile in the top Division Two clash, Monaghan are up on Roscommon at half-time, 2-6 to 0-8.


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Mayo 0-7 Tyrone 0-8: McCurry scores a close range free and the lead exchanges once again, Ryan O’Donoghue missing a free for Mayo at the other end after 45 minutes.


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Mayo 0-7 Tyrone 0-7: A second point from Frank Irwin brings Mayo level again, before McCurry misses from close range for Tyrone after 43 minutes.


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Mayo 0-6 Tyrone 0-7: Eoin McElholm is fouled, and Niall Morgan comes up to convernt the free from left of the posts after 41 minutes and Tyrone are back in front. Still all to play for here.


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Mayo 0-6 Tyrone 0-6: A close range free from Darren McCurry on 38 minutes has the sides level again.


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Mayo 0-6 Tyrone 0-5: Back underway at MacHale Park, and Jordan Flynn kicks an excellent two-point score for Mayo to put the home team back in front after 36 minutes,. They’re still playing with 14 men, Conor Reid shown a black card after 28 minutes.


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Mayo 0-4 Tyrone 0-5; Despite owning another long spell of possession, Tyrone win back the ball and Eoin McElholm edges them ahead just before the half-time hooter. Kevin McStay must be wondering why his team aren’t ahead, all the pressure now on the home team come the second half.


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Mayo 0-4 Tyrone 0-4: Matthew Ruane edges Mayo back in front after 29 minutes, though Tyrone are starting to win more possession, Mark Bradley equalising again after 31 minutes.


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Mayo 0-3 Tyrone 0-3: Not long after Jordan Flynn picks up the first yellow card for Mayo, Tyrone get a point back on 25 minutes through Brian Kennedy, before moments later Michael McKernan levels the sides.


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Mayo 0-3 Tyrone 0-1: Conor Reid wins the free for Mayo, and Cian McHale duly converts from in front of the posts.


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Mayo 0-2 Tyrone 0-1: After 20 minutes Mayo make more of that possesion count, Davitt Neary scoring their second point from close range.


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Mayo 0-1 Tyrone 0-1: After 16 minutes, Niall Morgan finally gets one on the board for Tyrone, the goalkeeper finishing off an impressive attack.


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Mayo 0-1 Tyrone 0-0: It’s all a bit scrappy at MacHale Park so far, both sides missing open scoring chances, Tyrone shooting a wide by Kieran McGeary after 15 minutes.


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Mayo 0-1 Tyrone 0-0 : Mayo still owning all the possession here, but are struggling to convert into scores, and still only the one point after 11 minutes.


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Mayo 0-1 Tyrone 0-0: Mayo are certainly up for this game, Eoghan McLaughlin forcing a fine save from Niall Morgan after seven minutes, his rebound going just wide.


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Mayo 0-1 Tyrone 0-0: After an opening spell of possession, Mayo open the scoring after three minutes thanks to Frank Irwin. There’s some drizzing rain making conditions testing.


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Here’s how the league tables currently look -

Division 1 P W D L Dif Pts

Galway 3 2 1 0 16 5

Donegal 2 2 0 0 6 4

Dublin 3 2 0 1 -1 4

Armagh 2 1 0 1 1 2

Kerry 3 1 0 2 0 2

Tyrone 2 1 0 1 0 2

Derry 3 0 1 2 -10 1

Mayo 2 0 0 2 -12 0

Division 2 P W D L Dif Pts

Monaghan 2 2 0 0 16 4

Roscommon 2 2 0 0 9 4

Meath 3 2 0 1 9 4

Cork 3 2 0 1 4 4

Louth 2 1 0 1 0 2

Down 3 1 0 2 -9 2

Westmeath 3 0 0 3 -11 0

Cavan 2 0 0 2 -18 0

Division 3 P W D L Dif Pts

Kildare 2 2 0 0 21 4

Offaly 2 2 0 0 12 4

Laois 2 1 0 1 18 2

Clare 2 1 0 1 10 2

Antrim 2 1 0 1 2 2

Fermanagh 2 1 0 1 -14 2

Sligo 2 0 0 2 -13 0

Leitrim 2 0 0 2 -36 0

Division 4 P W D L Dif Pts

Wexford 3 3 0 0 32 6

Tipperary 2 1 1 0 1 3

Carlow 3 1 1 1 0 3

Wicklow 2 1 0 1 2 2

London 2 1 0 1 -16 2

Longford 2 0 1 1 -1 1

Limerick 2 0 1 1 -5 1

Waterford 2 0 0 2 -13 0


3 days ago

The rivalry between Mayo and Tyrone since 1974 has always been intense, as can be gauged from the closeness of some of the scorelines, and with six games drawn. Tyrone have 14 victories to Mayo’s 12. Last year in Omagh, Tyrone won 1-15 to Mayo’s 1-11.


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There was also Division 1 action on Saturday, with Galway drawing with Derry at Celtic Park while Dublin took a narrow victory over Kerry down in Tralee.

Read the full match reports below:

Determined Derry fight back to draw against GalwayOpens in new window ]

Dublin steal the points from Kerry in adrenalin-fuelled finaleOpens in new window ]


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Mayo v Tyrone at MacHale Park gets under way at 1.45pm. Here are the teams:


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Here’s the day’s scheulde:

NFL – Division 1

Mayo v Tyrone; MacHale Park, 1.45pm (live, TG4)

Donegal v Armagh; Ballybofey, 3.45pm (live, TG4)

NFL – Division 2

Cavan v Louth; Breffni Park, 2pm

Roscommon v Monaghan; Dr Hyde Park, 2pm

NFL – Division 3

Laois v Sligo; O’Moore Park, 1pm

Clare v Fermanagh; Cusack Park, Ennis, 1.30pm

Leitrim v Kildare; Ballinamore, 2pm

Offaly v Antrim; O’Connor Park, 2pm

NFL – Division 4

London v Limerick; McGovern Park, Ruislip, 12.30pm

Waterford v Tipperary; Walsh Park, 1pm

Wicklow v Longford; Aughrim, 2pm

NHL – Division 1B

Westmeath v Laois; Cusack Park, Mullingar, 2.30pm

Mayo v Cavan; Tooreen, 2.30pm


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Up in Division 1 of the NFL, there will be a lot to play for in Castlebar as MacHale Park hosts Mayo v Tyrone.

Kevin McStay’s side have picked up two losses (against Dublin and Galway) so far this campaign, leaving them bottom of the table, while a win and a loss for Malachy O’Rourke’s charges has them sitting two spots above in sixth.

The topflight’s later throw-in sees Armagh got to Ballybofey to meet Jim McGuinness’s Donegal.


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Hello everyone and welcome along to The Irish Times live blog of today’s action in the National Football League.

We’ll be keeping you up to date on the games taking place across the four divisions throughout the day, followed by match reports and some post-game interviews.

There are 11 games on the football agenda, while there are also two refixed games taking place in the National Hurling League – Westmeath v Laois (Division 1B) and Mayo v Cavan (Division 3).