By Michael McMullan DERRY are still searching for their first win of 2025 but Sunday’s relegation leaves this weekend’s final league game with All-Ireland champions Armagh irrelevant. After two seasons in the top flight, the Oakleafers’ must plan to bounce back in 2026 but their eyes are now on the championship. “That’ll be our target […]
Two Derry changes ahead of Mayo visit
By Michael McMullan DERRY manager Paddy Tally has made two changes ahead of Sunday’s visit ot Mayo (Celtic Park, 1.30pm). It’s a must win game for the Oakleafers if the reigning champions are to stand any chance of remaining in the top flight. Brendan Rogers will miss the game with the ankle injury sustained in […]
Derry still searching for a first win
By Michael McMullan DERRY face into a must win game on Sunday and Paddy Tally accepts the challenge as they bid to avoid the drop from Division One. Their comeback to snatch a draw with Galway is the only point the reigning champions have from their opening four games. They face Ulster champions Donegal in […]
Tally excited for league after busy two months at the Derry helm
By Michael McMullan IT has been a busy two months for new Derry manager Paddy Tally but he’s looking forward to the league kicking into action this weekend. The addition of strength and conditioning coach Cairbre Ó Cairealláin was an important addition to the management team. Former Derry ‘keeper Johnny Kelly has also come on […]
Derry 2025: Getting back on track
Derry will face Tyrone in their opening game of the season later this month. Michael McMullan looks ahead to the Oakleafers’ new season… TWO years ago, Derry were on the cusp of a third-ever All-Ireland final. That’s how far they had risen from the well-documented days of the league’s button rungs. Just think about that. There […]
A wry look at the year
Cometh the man, cometh the hour For long stretches of Glen’s All-Ireland final against St Brigid’s back in January, it looked like we were on course for an upset. It just wasn’t happening for the Watty Graham’s, but we all know what happened next: Conor Glass scored a fantastic goal and they ended up with […]
All-Ireland win distant memory as Glen take their first step of new campaign
By Michael McMullan GLEN selector Johnny Bradley insists their status as All-Ireland champions has no significance on the new championship odyssey. The defence of their Derry, Ulster and All-Ireland titles starts against neighbours Sleacht Néill on Saturday night. The Watties, again under Malachy O’Rourke’s watch, will join the Emmet’s (2017) and Bellaghy (1958) as four-in-a-row […]
Glen begin title defences against their rivals
By Michael McMullan GLEN begin the defence of their Derry, Ulster and All-Ireland titles this weekend. In a slight change this season, Derry CCC have arranged the 12-team championship into two groups of six. The top four in each section advancing to the quarter-finals. Glen will take on Sleacht Néill on Saturday night while beaten […]
Preview: Stick or twist for Derry in Croke Park
All-Ireland SFC Derry v Kerry Sunday, Croke Park, 3.15pm By Michael McMullan IT seems like a lifetime ago when Cormac Murphy took off across Austin Stack Park. Shane Ryan had pulled a shot wide of the posts. Kerry’s last throw of the dice. It was January and Derry were back in Division One for the […]
MATCH PREVIEW: Derry face a tough assignment out West
All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final Mayo v Derry Saturday, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, 6.30pm By Michael McMullan THE championship fire was stoked for Derry on Monday morning when they were pitted with Mayo. Emmett Bradley’s goal broke Westmeath’s resistance last weekend in Newry. It was a must-win game against a team promoted from the league’s third […]