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 […]


Derry name team for crunch Westmeath clash


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


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


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


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 […]