The Ulster final was already an enticing prospect before the bombshell news on Saturday that Rian O'Neill had arrived with the Armagh squad in Clones. O'Neill was an All-Star winner as Armagh won their second All-Ireland title last July, having played a pivotal role throughout the championship from corner forward. However, the victory in last year's All-Ireland final against Galway remains the last time O'Neill togged out for Armagh. After almost 10 months of uncertainty over O'Neill's future with Armagh, he was pictured arriving with a gearbag alongside the team for Saturday's Ulster final against Donegal.
Rian O’Neill is in the house. How about that then? 📸 Oliver McVeigh via @irishnewssport pic.twitter.com/g1ONGhqnsn — Jack Madden (@jack_madden2001) May 10, 2025
Rian O’Neill just arrived with the Armagh team. Carrying a gear bag! pic.twitter.com/f4flXXX4Sv — Maurice Brosnan (@m_brosnan) May 10, 2025
He was pictured with his Armagh teammates ahead of the game, as they cheered on their county's ladies football team in the Ulster final against Donegal. As throw-in approached, it was confirmed that Rian O'Neill had not been added to the matchday 26 but that he was indeed back with the Armagh panel. It was a spectacular way to start one of the biggest days of the football season, and came after months of speculation about the future for Rian O'Neill and Armagh.
Rian O'Neill has not featured for Armagh yet in 2025, though he was with the squad for their league clash with Dublin in early March. That came amid reports that O'Neill had been back in training, having missed the start of the league campaign. Manager Kieran McGeeney explained at the time that O'Neill's break was for "personal reasons," and confirmed that the Crossmaglen man was indeed "in and out" of training with the county. "He has trained with us before, so at the minute, I’m just giving him… he’s back in and out, but I wouldn't say he's fully back in yet," McGeeney said in March. "I said before that he has his own personal things going on, and that’s one thing that the GAA is good at, we try and look after our own, so that’s the way we’re going to keep it."
O'Neill's uncle Oisin McConville had said earlier in the year that he expected his nephew to be back in action before too long. Though O'Neill will not have any role to play in Saturday's Ulster final, it does seem as though his return to inter-county action is imminent, in a massive boost to Armagh's All-Ireland defence.
But as the match unfolded, it was Donegal who emerged victorious, beating Armagh by a narrow margin in a thrilling contest. Donegal have beaten Armagh by a point in extra-time of the 2025 Ulster final on a scoreline of 2-23 to 0-28. Substitute Niall O’Donnell kicked the winner, with Ciarán Moore’s extra-time goal giving Donegal the platform to claim back-to-back Anglo Celt Cups. An Ethan Rafferty two-point free had levelled the game before O’Donnell’s winner, while the sublime Oisín Conaty brought it to extra-time when Armagh looked out of it. In fact, Hugh McFadden’s goal put Donegal seven points up at one stage, but even then there was more to give.
The Orchard County came roaring back to finish the stronger, with Stefan Campbell making a big impression off the bench as ever. But in the end, extra-time was their undoing. Donegal and Armagh fought it out for the same honour last year, with Donegal needing penalties to come out on top in Clones, as Armagh took them right to the wire. Armagh defeated Antrim and Tyrone en route to the final, with Donegal taking out Derry, Monaghan and Down in their ties.
Earlier, Armagh Ladies beat Donegal comfortably in the first Donegal-Armagh Ulster final of the day. The match was a showcase of talent and determination from both teams, with the atmosphere electric as fans filled the stands at St Tiernach's Park. The day promised excitement, and the Ulster final did not disappoint, delivering a nail-biting finish that kept supporters on the edge of their seats.
As the dust settles on this year's Ulster final, the focus will now shift to the future for both teams. For Armagh, the return of Rian O'Neill, despite not playing in the final, signals hope for their upcoming matches. His presence with the squad indicates a readiness to contribute as they look to defend their All-Ireland title. Meanwhile, Donegal will celebrate their hard-fought victory and prepare to build on their success as reigning champions.
With the championship still in full swing, fans will eagerly anticipate what comes next for both teams. The rivalry between Armagh and Donegal continues to heat up, and the stakes are higher than ever as they both aim for glory in the coming weeks. As they regroup and refocus, each team will be looking to learn from this encounter and apply those lessons moving forward.
In conclusion, the 2025 Ulster final was not just a match; it was a testament to the passion and spirit of Gaelic football. With players like Rian O'Neill poised to return and teams like Donegal showcasing their championship pedigree, the excitement for the remainder of the season is palpable. Fans can expect more thrilling encounters as the championship progresses, with plenty of drama and unforgettable moments still to come.
