Student of the game: A day behind the scenes at Donegal versus Armagh

For my work experience over the course of a week, I am working with both Donegal GAA alongside county PRO Sinéad Breen - who happens to be my mammy - and the Donegal Democrat newspaper, with their managing editor, Alan Foley.

Mammy - who I’ll call Sinéad to be professional here - is a wee bit of a perfectionist when it comes to all things GAA!! So it was all hands on deck Sunday. On Sunday, I was double-jobbed! I think it’s safe to say it was a jam-packed day.

We leave the house in Convoy at 10.30am for Donegal’s Allianz League Division 1 clash with Armagh - and the game doesn't throw in until 3.45pm. I knew from early morning I would sleep well that night!

As PRO, Sinéad works closely with county treasurer Grace Boyle and fundraising committee chairperson Cieran Kelly. Prior to the match, there was a fundraising lunch held in Jackson’s Hotel - the official launch of 'Cairde Dhún na nGall 2025', the name given to the county's fundraising platform.

We go straight to MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey to set up the press box for the day, where the assembled media - both local and national, print and broadcast - will gather later that afternoon.

Then it’s onto Jackson’s Hotel to set up for the launch. We arrived in the lobby of the hotel where I was blinded by a sea of orange - Armagh had shown up in force! It's OK though, because I am safe in the knowledge that the gold and green brigade will soon arrive too.

Eimear Walsh, a fourth-year Digital Marketing in the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest - formerly Athlone Institute of Technology - is also working with Donegal GAA as an intern. I have learned so much from her and she is a real inspiration to me.

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Sinéad has set out our brief, which was to record some interviews with those already subscribed to Cairde. She interviewed county chairperson Mary Coughlan and John Watson of Watson Hire, a longstanding sponsor.

Then Sinéad had to get to the ground to meet TG4, who were showing the game live. She left us in Jackson’s with a list of those to interview and it was my turn to be the interviewer, with Eimear behind the camera.

Our dream suspect: GAA President Jarlath Burns. Invited to attend, he agreed to be interviewed after lunch. We sat down for lunch with a group of lovely people from Milford GAA.

Cieran Kelly, chairperson of the Donegal GAA fundraising committee, and Donegal GAA Chairperson Mary Coughlan officially opened proceedings, welcoming everyone to the launch.

The keynote speaker for the event was Charlie McConalogue, the recently appointed Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The Minister's speech was followed by that of President Jarlath Burns, who gave one of his customary inspiring talks about the importance of supporting our counties.

It was then time for our interview and it's fair to say the nerves were killing me! As soon as he started speaking I knew I had no need to be nervous and afterwards I was delighted with how it went.

Following the Chairde Launch, I had to travel over to meet Sinéad outside the press box. After getting through the gate, I walked across to the Media Box where I was promptly given my next piece of work. I helped out with the last-minute soundchecks and by now, there was a huge crowd inside the ground.

Then came the announcement: Mark Curran was starting in place of Hugh McFadden and Michael Murphy would be added to the substitutes’ bench in place of Jonny Carlin.

So, I sat down and the match started. The teams were two points apiece before Armagh’s Darragh McMullan put the ball into the back of the net on eight minutes. The orange and white flags were flying for the time being. Donegal hit back with 10 points in a row.

The first half ends 0-12 to 1-3, with the Donegal fans buzzing with excitement for the possible introduction of Michael Murphy.

The second half commenced and Armagh were starting to pick off a few points. The crowd suddenly erupted into screams. The press box is full of whispers - Michael Murphy had been spotted on the sideline - and the next thing I know, the screams get even louder as he runs on the pitch.

In Murphy's first minute on the pitch, Aidan Forker - the Armagh captain - is given a red card, and then Murphy kicks over a quick point. The roar got louder and louder and louder. The match ended 0-21 to Donegal, 1-10 for Armagh, and out of the 13,109 people in attendance, the Donegal supporters were delighted. There are so many volunteers involved in the running of inter-county days.

We then prepared for post-match, with Jim McGuinness and Ryan McHugh arriving. I listen more intently to the press as they ask their questions in hopes of getting more experience from this.

I have found it really beneficial to read the subsequent articles written by those in attendance. Particularly of interest is how each journalist zones in from different angles. Everyone erupted laughing when Jim commented on the infamous rumours of Michael Murphy playing in goals!!

The press conferences are notably efficient, and Sinéad ensures that all present have the opportunity to ask their individual questions. This is a valuable experience for me in time management.

Once it was finished, we packed up the promotional pop-ups for our sponsors and were finally ready home as the lights went out in Ballybofey. It was a long, jam-packed day but one I loved the buzz and the banter of - winning made it even better.