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, […]
Cassidy thriving in playing game after game
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 […]
Every game is a must win for Oakleafers insists Cassidy
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 […]
Build it and they will come – the story of the St Paul’s minor tournament
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. […]
Feature: Ulster Club Kingpins
WITH the Ulster Club Senior Football Championship heating up, Shaun Casey casts his eye over past glories… Crossmaglen: 11 IN 1996, led by Cross and Armagh legend Joe Kernan, the Rangers picked up their first of 11 Ulster titles. They secured their last provincial crown in 2015 with an extra-time win over Scotstown and three […]
Provincial plaudits
The counties who have fared best in the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship. Armagh clubs (15 titles) THE Orchard County is level with Derry in terms of Ulster Senior Club titles. One big reason for their success in the provincial arena is Crossmaglen, who have won a record-breaking 11 titles. But that’s not all – […]
Derry cancel senior football relegation play-offs
By Michael McMullan THERE will be no relegation from the Derry Senior Football Championship this season after Derry CCC informed clubs they were cancelling the four relegation play-offs. At the start if the year, Derry CCC planned to shrink their 16-team Senior Championship and Division One to 12 teams for the 2023 season, via four […]
Brothers at arms: How brothers Hugh and Gerry Donnelly ended up marking each other
Bellaghy were All-Ireland Club champions 50 years ago and it might never have been the case had Gerry Donnelly held his brother Hugh scoreless in a county semi-final. Michael McMullan takes up the story… THERE was many a ball kicked in Joe and Josephine Donnelly’s home in Newbridge, a céilí house where the door is […]
The championship Kings of Derry
THE Derry Senior Football Championship kicks into action for another season and Niall Gartland look at the top teams on the roll of honour… Bellaghy – 21 titles EVEN though they haven’t won the Derry Championship since 2005, Bellaghy sit comfortably at the top of the tree with 21 titles to their name. They’ve also […]
Bellaghy use tech to tackle lockdown problems
The Wolfe Tones purchased a set of GPS trackers last year