By Niall Gartland IT’S a measure of Tyrone’s progress under Michael McShane that they will field in the Christy Ring Cup for the first time in Sunday’s group stage opener against Derry, one of the traditional heavyweights of Ulster hurling. Last year’s Nickey Rackard Cup triumph was rewarded with promotion into the third-level competition at […]
By Michael McMullan SUNDAY’S trip to Carlow is a must win game in Johnny McGarvey’s book. A draw would be enough if Kerry beat Down at home, but McGarvey isn’t dealing in the maybes as the Oakleafers aim to beat the drop straight back to Division 2B. Derry were without a point going into Sunday’s […]
By Shaun Casey IT’S all on the line in Ballycran this weekend as Derry and Down battle it out for their first two points of the season. The two Ulster sides sit at the bottom of Division 2A, both on zero points after three games, so Sunday is a huge opportunity to get off the […]
By Michael McMullan DERRY hurlers begin a challenging Division 2A campaign at home to Kerry on Saturday (Celtic Park 2pm) without the spine of the team that gained promotion last season. Of the team that saw off Sligo in the promotion final, 14 of the 26 players listed in the programme are not part of […]
Ulster Club SHC final Sleacht Néill v Dunloy Sunday, Athletic Grounds, 1.30pm By Michael McMullan SLEACHT Néill put their Ulster title on the line on Sunday against a Dunloy team bidding for an eleventh provincial win and a first since 2009. It’s the fifth meeting of the clubs in championship hurling with the Antrim side’s […]
By Michael McMullan PAUL Bradley has a full panel to pick from for the first time in his three-year tenure as Sleacht Néill senior football manager. The Emmet’s take on Lavey in Sunday’s semi-final, a repeat of last year’s clash when extra-time was needed to qualify for the final. Defenders Karl McKaigue and Paul McNeill […]
By Michael McMullan SLEACHT NÉILL hurling manager Michael McShane is expecting a quartet of his injured players back in action later this month. The reigning Derry and Ulster champions will host parish rivals Swatragh and they’ll book a semi-final if they avoid defeat. The Emmet’s were without six regulars in Sunday’s 2-21 to 1-7 win […]
By Michael McMullan Oakleaf rising PADDY McBrearty may have ended Derry’s Anglo Celt hopes with a stoppage time sucker punch in Ballybofey, but it was another year of progress under Rory Gallagher. There was the return of Conor Glass to action and a more consistent look to the side, but the addition of Gareth McKinless […]
By Michael McMullan SLEACHT NÉILL are here to stay, but skipper Cormac O’Doherty stresses that their exploits against Dunloy will count for nothing unless they can land a fourth Ulster title this weekend. Sunday’s ‘massive performance’ was their third win over the Antrim giants in five seasons. It was a first game in seven weeks, […]
