Donegal star offers hilarious ‘cow herding’ explanation for defensive talents

Only in Ireland...

Donegal’s Finnbarr Roarty claimed the award at Friday night’s PwC 2025 All-Stars ceremony, as his side won the Ulster and also went on to the All-Ireland final.

And speaking to the Irish News, Roarty says his steely displays are partly down to his work on the farm when younger, and in particular herding cows. 

“We always claim it’s from herding the cows, you had to read their minds of the cows, the way you have to read a forward, reading their body language and whether they’ll go or now.

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“The cows, when you’re a young age getting them across the field, there’d be a few stray calves doing stupid stuff and sprinting around. You had to block off their options, I think that kinda helped with good defending. That’s my hypothesis anyway!”

And on his battles with his four brothers, he added: “There were a lot of battering sessions back in the day, that definitely helped out. We’d be kicking at the posts all day, a few dirty tackles too. It’d be wild competitive…”

GAA Football All-Stars

Shane Ryan (Kerry), Brendan McCole (Donegal), Jason Foley (Kerry), Sean Rafferty (Meath), Brian O Beaglaoich (Kerry), Gavin White (Kerry), Finnbarr Roarty (Donegal), Joe O’Connor (Kerry), Michael Langan (Donegal) , Paudie Clifford (Kerry), Sean O’Shea (Kerry), Oisin Conaty (Armagh), David Clifford (Kerry), Michael Murphy (Donegal), Sam Mulroy (Louth)

Footballer of the Year: David Clifford (Kerry)

Young Footballer of the Year: Finnbarr Roarty (Donegal)