By Michael McMullan IT’S a week of pulling all the pieces together again for Magherafelt minors as they prepare to take on Clann Éireann in Sunday’s Ulster semi-final at St Paul’s. Like their opponents, they had to juggle players’ commitments with the MacRory Cup. For Magherafelt, they also had to contend with the u-16 players […]
By Michael McMullan NEW Derry manager Paddy Tally will pencil in rest for whoever needs it and says a strong link across the u-17 and u-20 grades is essential to long-term progress. He points out the difference in conditioning levels between a player coming in from the u-20 grade to a seasoned player with a […]
By Shaun Casey “TO win an All-Ireland, everything has to be right,” said Damian McErlain after his side defeated Armagh by three points to win back-to-back All-Ireland Minor titles for the first time in the county’s history. For large spells, the Orchard County matched McErlain’s youthful team stride for stride, but when the going got tough in […]
Electric Ireland Minor Football Championship Final Derry v Armagh Sunday, O’Neill’s Healy Park, 2pm By Michael McMullan SUNDAY is the final step of James Sargent’s underage Derry career that has been laced with memorable days. They looked to have both hands on the 2023 league title until Donegal’s Eoghan Scott struck for goal. There was […]
Electric Ireland Minor Football Championship Final Derry v Armagh Sunday, O’Neill’s Healy Park, 2pm By Michael McMullan DERRY minor manager Damian McErlain is under no illusions of the task that awaits his charges in Sunday’s All-Ireland final. Within hours of overseeing his side’s hard fought semi-final win over Kerry, McErlain was on the road again […]
By Michael McMullan DERRY and Armagh will meet in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland minor final later this month, a third meeting of the counties this season. The Oakleafers were comfortable winners over Armagh in the group stages with the Orchard County bouncing back to push them to the pin of their collar in the Ulster […]
By Michael McMullan DERRY minors must produce their best performance yet when they take on Kerry in Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final (Mullingar 1.30pm) insists manager Damian McErlain. The reigning champions met the Kingdom in a challenge game during the season and the Derry management know exactly what is coming down the tracks. After digging their heels […]
By Michael McMullan REIGNING champions Derry and Armagh are both in All-Ireland minor semi-final action this weekend. Derry backed up their Ulster league and championship double with a hard fought win over Dublin after shipping goals at crucial times. Damian McErlain can call on a handful of last year’s starting team against Kerry on Saturday […]
By Michael McMullan DERRY minor manager Damian McErlain was full of praise for the courage shown by his side in their Electric Ireland All-Ireland quarter-final win over Dublin. The Ulster champions bounced back after two Dublin goals pegged them back in a 0-18 to 2-10 win that needed both grit and composure in the final […]
By Michael McMullan DAMIAN McErlain has walked the minor path long enough to know how it works. An Ulster winner as a player in 1995, he is now in a fifth season as Derry boss across two stints. After retaining their Ulster title against Armagh, the Oakleafers take on Leinster runners-up Dublin in Saturday’s Electric […]
