Curse of the champions


2022 Dromore’s semi-final exit DROMORE emerged triumphant in the 2021 championship and deservedly so as they lay waste to Coalisland in a relatively one-sided Tyrone SFC final. Armed with a potent blend of youth and experience (they’d won the Ulster u-21 tournament a few years prior), they’d have fancied their chances of holding onto their […]


‘Two championships’ in one season in Tyrone


By Michael McMullan THE O’Neill Cup hasn’t been defended since Carrickmore’s 2005 title and two Ardboe championship winners have their thoughts on the competitive nature of Tyrone club football. In a feature interview for Gaelic Life, Benny Hurl and Brian McGuigan look back at their memories to recall their 1998 success. “We nearly play two […]


“I just loved testing myself against others”


FORMER Tyrone and Carrickmore ace looks back at some of the memorable games playing and watching football down the years… Name: Eilish Gormley Teams played for: An Charraig Mhór, Tyrone, Ulster, St. Mary’s, UUJ, Combined Ulster Colleges, Combined Irish Colleges, Roscommon Ladies in Boston, Connacht Ladies in Boston, Armagh Ladies Rugby. Current involvement: Advertisement I […]


Errigal Ciaran out to buck the trend in Tyrone Senior Championship


By Niall Gartland PRECEDENT suggests reigning champions Errigal Ciaran are on to a hiding to nothing in Tyrone but they’ll be quietly confident they can buck the trend by retaining the coveted O’Neill Cup. No team has successfully retained the title since Carrickmore did the back-to-back in 2004 and 2005. Some have come close – […]


Dean Maguirc braced for All-Ireland challenge


By Niall Gartland DEAN Maguirc manager Gavan McElroy has hailed the commitment and efforts of his players ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final showdown against O’Carolan College of Meath. The Carrickmore school will have had more than a fortnight to prepare for the match after a historic Markey Cup triumph, whereas their opponent’s Leinster final showdown […]


Hunger key to Loughgiel’s continued run of success


By Michael McMullan THE desire to keep winning silverware drove Loughgiel minors to a second Ulster minor title on Saturday, insists Darragh Patterson. The Shamrocks were 3-11 to 0-8 winners over a Carrickmore, Éire Óg team they held scoreless in the second half. Patterson, a recent Mageean Cup winner with St Louis, Ballymena, was one of […]


Éire Óg aiming for famous Ulster win against Loughgiel


By Alan Rodgers HOPE is springing in rich measure among the Carrickmore, Éire Óg minor hurlers as they bid to become Ulster champions this Saturday. But the teenagers, who have recorded impressive victories on the provincial stage so far, will have to be on top form. For standing against them will be Antrim champions, Loughgiel. […]


Loughgiel and Éire Óg set up Ulster minor hurling clash


Ulster Minor Hurling Tournament semi-finals Loughgiel 3-18 Lavey 1-6 THREE goals from Jack McCloskey shot reigning champions Loughgiel into Satutrday’s final with a comfortable win over Derry champions Lavey on Saturday at Ballinascreen. The Shamrock’s now face Éire Óg of Carrickmore after their extra-time win over Bredagh on the back of winning the shield competition. […]


Carrickmore man leading the charge at Glasgow Gaels


By Niall Gartland A CARRICKMORE native will attempt to plot the downfall of Stewartstown when they take on Glasgow Gaels in Sunday’s All-Ireland Junior Championship quarter-final. The Glasgow-based side are managed by Jimmy Treacy, who has never lost his love for the GAA despite moved across the water for 13 years now. He grew up […]


Kelly never doubted Errigal’s day would come


By Niall Gartland ERRIGAL Ciaran footballer Niall Kelly says he never countenanced any doubts that they could get their hands on the O’Neill Cup, despite some of the setbacks of recent seasons. They came out second best in the 2017 and 2019 finals, and there were a number of other stomach-churning defeats which could’ve derailed a […]