Jimmy's Winning Matches
"Jimmy's Winning Matches", originally called "Jimmy Selling Watches", is a song performed by Rory and the Island —and the anthem of Donegal's march towards the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final. Considered an Internet and YouTube sensation, "Jimmy's Winning Matches" hit number one on the iTunes chart.
| "Jimmy's Winning Matches" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Rory and the Island | |
| Recorded | 2012, Lanzarote |
| Length | Variable |
| Songwriter(s) | Rory Gallagher |
"I remember seeing Florence and the Machine, Noah and the Whale, The Divine Comedy. So I thought I would go with Rory and the Island".
– Rory Gallagher speaking about the moniker in 2022
With the title referring to the then Donegal team manager Jim McGuinness, the song was compared both to the legendary sports anthem "Put 'Em Under Pressure" as well as the iconic song "Give It a Lash Jack".
Morning Ireland, normally a conservative public service programme on RTÉ Radio 1 dealing with formal issues such as politics, played the song on consecutive days after Donegal won the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final. Numerous alternative versions have emerged on YouTube, including one by a "four-year old kid" and one from an "accordion-wielding band".