‘Game under new rules is like an Olympic sport’ - Mary Coughlan

The new rules in Gaelic games have been the big talking point over the last number of weeks and Donegal followers got their first opportunity to see them at first hand on Saturday night when the county entertained Dublin in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey.

Donegal ran out deserving four point winners - 0-20 to 0-16 - and it’s fair to see the large Donegal support in the massive 12,560 attendance went home fairly happy.

The performance of Dáire Ó Baoill, in particular, hitting two two-pointers in the opening half was a very big talking point.

The exciting nature and entertainment value was far removed from the over and back football that has been part of the furniture in recent years.

Speaking at the presentation of medals to the Donegal GAA Masters team which won the All-Ireland Plate in 2025 on Sunday night in Jacksons Hotel, Donegal GAA chairperson presented a very nuanced view of what we saw on Saturday night.

“I’m hearing that the Masters are going to stick with the old rules. Looking at what we saw last night it is more like an Olympic sport now as opposed to football. The standards expected are absolutely huge,” said Coughlan, who added: “When we see what happens at club level, I think that will give us a greater idea of how the rules will work. But so far people seem to be enjoying them and we had a great evening yesterday here in Ballybofey (beating Dublin).”

It was an eye opener for all concerned and after watching the huge scores that were amassed by the likes of Monaghan (2-29) and Kerry (5-15) over the weekend, there are more positives than negatives. But spare a thought for Derry and Westmeath who scored 1-24 and 2-22 respectively and ended up on the losing side.

Maybe we will see Gaelic Games as part of the Olympics in the near future.