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
July 31, 2024
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
June 29, 2024
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
June 20, 2024
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 […]
Derry name team for crunch Westmeath clash
June 13, 2024
By Michael McMullan DERRY manager Mickey Harte has named his side for Saturday’s must win game against Westmeath in Páirc Esler. After losing to Galway and Armagh, the Oakleafers must win their first championship game of the season to stay in the All-Ireland conversation. Ciaran McFaul and Eoin McEvoy have been named to start with […]
Preview: Showdown in the city
June 1, 2024
All-Ireland SFC Round Two Derry v Armagh Sunday, Celtic Park, 4pm By Michael McMullan SIX weeks feels like a lifetime in Derry. From league champions, a narrative now points towards their back-to-back defeats. That’s why Sunday’s visit of Armagh is huge. Speaking after their defeat in Galway, manager Mickey Harte felt it was a must […]
Derry team named for Armagh visit
May 30, 2024
By Michael McMullan DERRY have made two changes to their team for Sunday’s visit of Armagh to Celtic Park (4pm). Injured duo Conor Doherty and Eoin McEvoy have been listed to start ahead of Declan Cassidy and the suspended Gareth McKinless from the defeat to Galway. Emmett Bradley retains his place with Cormac Murphy also […]
STEVEN POACHER: Don’t pen the Oakleafers’ obituary
May 28, 2024
LAST weekend Derry lost their second game in a row under new manager Mickey Harte, a situation Mickey has found himself in many of times in his managerial career. Back in 2008, Mickey left Páirc Esler having been beaten by Down and the obituaries were being scribed all across the country. Roll on a few […]
Two Derry changes for trip to Salthill
May 16, 2024
By Michael McMullan DERRY have made two changes for Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC trip to Connacht champions Galway. Paudi McGrogan’s campaign has been ended with a cruciate injury with his place has been taken by Gareth McKinless who came on against Donegal. The other change sees impact man Niall Toner coming in for a fourth start […]
Derry v Dublin preview: A marker for summer
March 30, 2024
NFL Division One final Derry v Dublin Sunday, Croke Park, 4pm By Michael McMullan FROM the moment Derry decided to make seven changes to their team ahead of the Dubs’ visit to Celtic Park the interest in a potential rematch in the final ramped up. Now it’s here, when you delve through the noise of […]