Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

29 June 2025; Mark O'Shea of Kerry in action against Armagh players Paddy Burns, left, and Andrew Murnin during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Shauna Clinton/

Five football talking points ahead of 2026 campaign

The 2026 football season is nearly upon us with the return of the pre-season competitions, as well as the start of the National League, due in January. Peter Branigan takes a look at some of the big talking points ahead of the new campaign.

Football • 27 Dec

12 July 2025; David Clifford of Kerry celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Kerry and Tyrone at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

O'Connor: More to come from Clifford after best year

David Clifford had his best year in a Kerry jersey in 2025 because of a combination of the new rules and a proper break away from the game, according to his manager Jack O'Connor.

Football • 24 Oct

Dublin , Ireland - 27 July 2025; Kerry manager Jack O'Connor before the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kerry and Donegal at Croke Park in Dublin. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

O'Connor firmly against payment for inter-county bosses

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor has poured cold water on any suggestion that inter-county GAA managers may be paid for their work with county teams in the not-too-distant future.

Football • 31 Aug

28 July 2025; Kerry manager Jack O'Connor with the Sam Maguire cup on the teams departure from Sallins & Naas Train Station in Kildare after winning the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship final at Croke Park on Sunday. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Spor

Fitzmaurice: 'Jack probably felt it'd be mad to leave'

Former Kerry manager Éamonn Fitzmaurice says Jack O'Connor probably concluded he'd be "mad" to depart the senior manager's job with the county primed for more success in the coming years.

Football • 26 Aug

O'Connor had to stick around with Kerry primed for more

With a squad of players still to reach their peak, Jack O'Connor's decision to stay on as Kerry manager is not a surprise.

Football • 27 Aug

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor walks past the Sam Maguire Cup

O'Connor handed two-year extension as Kerry boss

Jack O'Connor is to remain on as Kerry manager for their All-Ireland title defence after extending his term by a further two years.

Football • 25 Aug

27 July 2025; Kerry manager Jack O'Connor celebrates with David Clifford of Kerry after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kerry and Donegal at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Clifford hoping to see O'Connor back with Kerry in 2026

Kerry star David Clifford is hopeful Jack O'Connor will be in charge of the Kingdom in 2026 for their back-to-back assault on the Sam Maguire.

Football • 18 Aug

19 July 2025; Manager Jack O'Connor, left, and Gavin White during the Kerry GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Final Media Conference at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney, Kerry. Photo by Domnick Walsh/Sportsfile

White hails 'The Chief' of the Kingdom

Victorious Kerry captain Gavin White has paid tribute to his manager Jack O'Connor and the backroom team, while detailing his own evolution as a player en route to lifting Sam Maguire at Croke Park on Sunday.

Football • 28 Jul

27 July 2025; Kerry manager Jack O'Connor celebrates with Mark O'Shea after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kerry and Donegal at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

O'Connor: The rest of us are only trotting after Micko

Jack O'Connor appears ready to ride off into the sunset after presiding over a fifth All-Ireland title victory in 11 seasons in charge

Football • 29 Jul

27 July 2025; Kerry manager Jack O'Connor celebrates after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship final match between Kerry and Donegal at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

O'Connor indicates third Kerry term may be at an end

Jack O'Connor hinted on RTÉ's Sunday Sport that he might be bringing his management term to an end after guiding Kerry to a fifth All-Ireland title in three different terms.

Football • 27 Jul

O'Connor on the cusp of finally shedding 'outsider' tag

Victory over Donegal and with it a fifth All-Ireland success would undoubtedly cement Jack O'Connor's place amongst the titans of Kerry football, putting him up there alongside Mick O'Dwyer.

Football • 25 Jul

David Clifford of Kerry celebrates after scoring his side's first goal past Cavan goalkeeper Liam Brady during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship preliminary quarter-final match between Kerry and Cavan at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, Ker

No one-man show as O'Connor aims for steady performance

Jack O'Connor tells RTÉ Sport that Kerry have to deliver a consistent 70-minute performance to see off Donegal in the All-Ireland, but he can't help but smile when it's hinted that the men from the Kingdom might be something of a one-man show.

Football • 22 Jul

12 July 2025; Kerry manager Jack O'Connor and David Clifford after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Kerry and Tyrone at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

O'Connor hails more 'rounded' display as Kerry progress

Now set for his eighth All-Ireland final as Kerry manager across three separate spells, Jack O'Connor described his side's display in their semi-final win as more rounded than their "freakish" second half against Armagh

Football • 13 Jul

Fitzmaurice surprised by O'Connor outburst

Éamonn Fitzmaurice was surprised by Kerry manager Jack O'Connor's decision to take aim at his team's detractors following their swashbuckling All-Ireland SFC quarter-final win over Armagh.

Football • 30 Jun

21 June 2025; Kerry manager Jack O'Connor during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship preliminary quarter-final match between Kerry and Cavan at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, Kerry. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The Kingdom 'have room for improvement' - O'Connor

Kerry cruised to a comfortable 3-20 to 1-17 victory over Cavan at Fitzgerald Stadium on Saturday, but Jack O'Connor admitted more will be required of his charges in the quarter-finals of the All-Ireland SFC.

Football • 22 Jun

Jack O'Connor watched on as Kerry raced into a match-winning lead against Clare

O'Connor enthused by Kerry's strength after Munster win

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor feels his side are in an excellent place after bagging a second trophy of the year by dismantling Clare in the Munster Football Championship in Fitzgerald Stadium.

Football • 04 May

Johnny Culloty won five All-Ireland senior titles as a player with Kerry

O'Connor pays tribute to 'father-figure' Culloty

Jack O'Connor has hailed the contribution the late Johnny Culloty made to Kerry football, both as a player and in management.

Football • 26 Feb

Jim McGuinness will be in experimental mode in Killarney

Result irrelevant in Killarney as rivals look to summer

The new rules bring with it added excitement as Jim McGuinness and Jack O'Connor cross paths for just the third time - but both will have summer ball in their thoughts.

Allianz Football League • 08 Feb

O'Connor: Armagh crowd a big factor in the game

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor lamented missed chances and a momentum-changing goal after his side were knocked out of the championship by Armagh in a titanic All-Ireland semi-final.

Football • 13 Jul 24

Derry tried to make things difficult for Kerry

O'Connor praises Kerry nerve as they see off Derry

Jack O'Connor praised the nerve of his players after Kerry secured safe passage to another All-Ireland football semi-final with victory over Derry this afternoon.

Football • 30 Jun 24

Pádraic Joyce: 'We just seemed to play with a little bit of fear'

Joyce: We've work to do to be considered contenders

Galway boss Pádraic Joyce warned his side have work to do if they're to be talked about as genuine All-Ireland SFC contenders in the summer.

Football • 25 Mar 24

David Clifford and Padraig Hampsey get to grips with one another

O'Connor pleased at response to 'unacceptable' display

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor was content his side bounced back from their "unacceptable" display in Croke Park last Saturday as they saw off Tyrone in Killarney this afternoon.

Football • 03 Mar 24

Joe O'Connor of Kerry gets a kick away despite the presence of David McBrien

O'Connor: Kerry only '6 out of 10' in win over Mayo

A last-gasp David Clifford point was the difference as Kerry edged Mayo in their Division 1 clash in Tralee on Saturday evening, a performance that was "6 out of 10", according to Kingdom boss Jack O'Connor.

Football • 18 Feb 24

Sean O'Shea slips as he takes a free in the final minutes of the game against Derry

O'Connor laments Kerry's 'butchered' goal opportunities

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor lamented some poor Kerry finishing in front of goal in their narrow defeat to Derry, but was buoyed by the Kingdom's second-half display in their league opener.

Football • 28 Jan 24

Paddy Tally (R) with Kerry boss Jack O'Connor

Tally to remain with Kerry

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor has received a boost as Paddy Tally is set to remain with the Kingdom for a third season.

Football • 25 Sep 23

Jack OConnor