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gaa · Wednesday 1 July 2026 · 7:30pm 
Donegal v Louth - All-Ireland Minor Football Paul McGirr Cup Final
At BoxIt Athletic Grounds · Armagh, Co. Armagh
At BoxIt Athletic Grounds · Armagh, Co. Armagh
Donegal’s minor footballers took on Louth in the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship Tier 2 decider - the Paul McGirr Cup final - on a Saturday evening at the BoxIt Athletic Grounds in Armagh. This is the showpiece match of the second tier of the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Football Championship, a genuine All-Ireland final in its own right, and a serious occasion for any county that reaches it. Both sets of supporters made the trip to Armagh for a 7:30pm throw-in, and the match delivered a memorable finish. For followers of Donegal GAA especially, seeing a young squad lift silverware at this level is exactly the kind of night that stays with you.
The Paul McGirr Cup final brought together two counties who earned their place the hard way. Donegal, managed by Karl Lacey, had been edged out in the Ulster Minor Championship by Derry but bounced back through the back door - beating Dublin by a point and seeing off Down after extra-time in Scotstown to reach the decider. Louth, managed by Eamonn McEneaney, got past Cavan and Monaghan to line up in the final.
The match itself went to the wire. Donegal led 0-8 to 0-6 at the break and looked in control, but Louth hit back in the second half - Conor Marron finding the net to put them in front. A late goal from Donegal’s Mark Wilkinson settled it, with Donegal winning 1-15 to 1-14 in a tense finish that showed what minor football at its best can produce.
The BoxIt Athletic Grounds in Armagh is the county ground and administrative home of Armagh GAA, with a capacity of 18,500, covered stands, floodlighting, and facilities for supporters. It is a proper inter-county venue, well set up for an All-Ireland final atmosphere.
The BoxIt Athletic Grounds is in Armagh city, Co. Armagh. From Donegal town, the straightforward route is south through Omagh on the A5/N15 corridor, then east into Armagh - roughly 90 minutes depending on where you are coming from in the county. From Louth, the M1 motorway and then north is the standard approach via Newry and on to Armagh, around an hour from Dundalk.
Parking is available in and around Armagh city. For a midweek or evening match, city centre car parks are usually accessible. The grounds are centrally located so the walk from most car parks is short. There is no direct public transport from Donegal to Armagh that would suit a 7:30pm fixture, so most supporters travel by car or organised coach.
If you are making a wider trip to support the county, Donegal town itself - and the broader county - is worth a few extra days. The Wild Atlantic Way passes through, Slieve League is one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, and the county’s beaches at Naran and Rossnowlagh are among the finest in Ireland.
There is more to see in Donegal and across Co. Donegal.
Heading to BoxIt Athletic Grounds in Donegal? Donegal has plenty more to see. Read the Donegal area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.