Gardai bid to identify Donegal and Armagh fans involved in shop brawl

Gardai have launched a probe into an unsavoury incident between Donegal and Armagh supporters in a Monaghan shop following Saturday evening’s Ulster senior football championship final.

In widely-circulated footage, young men, some of whom are dressed in Donegal and Armagh jerseys, are seen trading kicks and punches.

Innocent bystanders and other shoppers had to duck for cover as a brawl broke out in a premises that is a regular stop-off for Donegal fans.

During the encounter, items in the shop, including packs of Red Bull and a newspaper stand, are scattered as the rival fans clash in separate fights in the same shop. 

One other shopper is heard exclaiming “oh my God” as the incident continues before those involved exit the shop still coming to blows. 

Gardai are now expected to harvest CCTV footage from the shop in a bid to identify those involved.

A spokesperson told Donegal Live: “Gardaí received a report of a public order incident that occurred inside a commercial premises in Coolshannagh, Monaghan on Saturday 10th May 2025 at approximately 10pm.

“Investigations are ongoing.”

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At the end of the game, which Donegal won 2-23 to 0-28 after extra time, Gardai intervened when a fight broke out with members of both Donegal and Armagh squads involved.

Asked about the incident after the game, victorious Donegal manager Jim McGuinness said: “I don’t have a perspective on that. It’s not nice to see. It shouldn’t happen. I was giving my daughter a hug at the time. I didn’t see what happened, but it shouldn’t be in the game.”