By Michael McMullan ONE glance at Tom Quinn’s list of achievements tells you the stature of the man in footballing circles. Tom passed away recently and will go down as one of the all-time Bellaghy and Derry greats. With St Columb’s Derry, he won a Hogan Cup in 1965. A minor All-Ireland title followed in […]
Fifty years ago, Ballinascreen were Derry senior champions. Former Derry star Brendan Kelly was a key member of their winning team. Michael McMullan went to meet him… BRENDAN Kelly’s facial expression says it all. He just loves talking football. As a back-to-back Ulster winner with Derry in the mid-seventies, the game has treated him well. There […]
By Michael McMullan WHEN Swatragh interim manager John Kearney emerged from the team huddle after victory over Bellaghy on Saturday evening, he had two concise messages. The players deserved all the credit for digging out the result and they’d have to repeat the performance in Lavey on Sunday (3.30pm) in their final group game. The […]
DERRY SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP By Niall Gartland GLEN were a kick of the ball away from landing the Andy Merrigan Cup back in January. We won’t go into the ins and outs of the controversy that followed, but the point we’re trying to make is that Malachy O’Rourke’s side are one of the best teams in […]
By Michael McMullan DERRY league champions Bellaghy have their eyes fully focussed on next month’s championship opener with Dungiven insists Eoghan Brown. The Tones won their first league title since 2004 and used the campaign to make progress from last season when they found themselves in trouble until Derry CCC’s decision to scrap the relegation play-offs. […]
By Michael McMullan BELLAGHY were crowned league champions in Derry by virtue of 2022 winners Glen’s win over Tones’ nearest challengers Coleraine in their final game of the season. Damian Cassidy’s side – still with a game to spare – were on the cusp of the title after last Tuesday’s win at home to Dungiven […]
The last time Derry and Armagh met in the Ulster showdown, club rivals and university teammates John McEntee and Joe Cassidy were in opposing corners. Michael McMullan caught up with them for a walk down memory lane. WHEN Armagh minors began the defence of their Ulster title in a sun-kissed Athletic Grounds in May 1995, […]
By Michael McMullan SATURDAY was a 37th consecutive senior game for Paul Cassidy since hitting net as a substitute on his debut in a win over Longford in Celtic Park at the heel of 2020. It was the first game after the Covid lockdown, a night when Glen duo Conor Glass and Ethan Doherty also […]
By Michael McMullan DERRY’S Paul Cassidy was named Man of the Match in Saturday’s McKenna Cup win over Tyrone but his mind was already looking into the future. It was Cassidy’s left peg that kicked Derry back in front after Tyrone’s 1-3 salvo tied the game early in the second half on Saturday evening. Derry […]
For four decades, the cream of minor club football spent the Christmas period jostling for top spot in the St Paul’s tournament. Michael McMullan takes a look at its beginning and lasting legacy. BRIAN Coyle always loved minor football. The entertainment on view always appealed to him. The open and free style pushed his buttons. […]
