WHEN Colm McCusker died last week, a piece of Ireland died with him. He was 91 years old and lived a life that will never be seen again. His first job was as a gardener in Upperlands with Clarkes, the big house protestants. Later, he became a weaver working in their linen mill. He saw […]
Ciaran McKeever looks on a year when Ulster said yes
By Michael McMullan SEAN Hurson’s final whistle, with Armagh’s Jarly Óg Burns in possession of the ball at the end of last month’s All-Ireland football final, capped off a remarkable season for Ulster across the national footballing landscape. Within minutes, Aidan Forker delivered a memorable acceptance speech after thrusting Sam Maguire above his head. Forker […]
Providing a choice: Derry’s revamped underage hurling squads
Derry have revamped their underage hurling squads to begin atu-14.Former county star Benny Ward is among those back coaching to put something back into the county. He spoke to Michael McMullan BENNY Ward’s phone buzzed last autumn. It was Kieran McKeever, a man he both soldiered with in county colours and against at club level. […]
Ulster success at All-Ireland Sevens
CLANN Éireann of Armagh were crowned O’Neills All-Ireland Senior Club Sevens champions on Saturday with Derry side Ballymaguigan picking up the intermediate title. The Armagh club, runners-up in 2017 and 2008, finally got their hands on the coveted silverware in Dublin over the weekend. Clann Éireann, captained by Niamh Coleman, were impressive throughout the day […]
Tributes made to camogie stalwart Maura McCloy
By Michael McMullan TRIBUTES have been made in memory of Maura McCloy, a giant of camogie, who passed away on Tuesday evening. McCloy was at the forefront of the game especially in her native Bellaghy and Derry where she served in many different capacities. The presence of Gaels from across Derry and beyond at Maura’s […]
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 […]
Kilrea turn their focus towards championship
By Michael McMullan KILREA won the Derry Senior League for the first time since 1981 but have now set their sights on the championship which kicks into action next month. Before a ball was kicked this season, Kilrea’s magic word was consistency. In recent years, they were sucked into a relegation battle with the added […]
Jack Scullion’s American dream
Jack Scullion has swapped the round ball for a chance to pursue a career in American Football. The Lavey man is preparing for a season with the Rutgers University team in New Jersey. Michael McMullan caught up with him… JACK Scullion is living the dream. The excitement and his smile coming across the internet hits […]
GERARD O’KANE: Hindsight is wonderful
BALANCE is a key word often used to describe how to obtain happiness in life. Too much of a good thing can’t be good for you while you need some sort of light at the end of the tunnel to keep you going. Well the last fortnight Derry football teaches us that balance and perspective […]
Derry minor Young delighted to secure two in-a-row
By Shaun Casey HEADING into 2024, it was 40 years since a Derry minor team had retained their Ulster title and the county had never before in their history held onto their Electric Ireland All-Ireland crown for back-to-back campaigns, but Damian McErlain’s side has changed all that. Two pieces of silverware wasn’t enough last year, […]