WEEK five of the league has just passed and ‘moving day’, to use some golfing parlance, has come and passed. Each division is starting to take a sort of shape in terms of how the top two or three teams are panning out, a middle cohort of teams and then the bottom two or three teams […]
FEATURE: Donegal’s Luke Barrett’s coaching journey
Luke Barrett coached Milford u-12s while still a teenager himself. He was Donegal minor manager by the age of 26. Just 32, he’s part of the county senior setup. From a sporting family, he’s living the dream. Michael McMullan went to meet him… LUKE Barrett and sport have always been intertwined. He has known nothing […]
Gaoth Dobhair manager’s overall positive take on new rule enhancements
By Michael McMullan GAOTH Dobhair manager Rónán Mac Niallais feels the new rule enhancements have been “positive overall” for the game but calls for consistency in their application at club level. Speaking ahead of the Donegal side’s Ulster Senior League semi-final with Antrim intermediate Champions All Saints, Mac Niallais said benefits of entering the competition […]
Coulter pleased with Donegal’s upward curve
By Michael McMullan DONEGAL hurlers were the story of last weekend with their victory over Kerry but Declan Coulter insists there is still work to do. With two teams facing the drop, Donegal host Derry in the final game of the season and travel to promotion contenders Kildare on Sunday. Their win over the Kingdom […]
Championship dress rehearsal for Donegal
By Michael McMullan HOW much do Donegal want a league final spot? That’s the question this week as they welcome Derry to Ballyshannon on Sunday. Jim McGuinness spoke after the Armagh win of their six-point tally and not risking anyone. His selection for Galway last weekend said more. Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Ciarán Thompson and Ryan […]
KEVIN CASSIDY: Clifford, Walsh, Canavan and an exhibition
AS I stood in Salthill last Sunday, I witnessed two things. The first one was the worst breeze I have ever witnessed a match taking place in. Secondly, it was the best display of kicking technique I have ever had the pleasure of watching. The conditions at Pearse Stadium were absolutely atrocious, and so the array […]
INTERVIEW: Donegal’s Declan Coulter and the focus of growing hurling
SUNDAY in Letterkenny was a landmark day in Donegal hurling as Mickey McCann’s side overcame Kerry. It was the first time Donegal playing Munster hurling opposition in 100 years and the result gives them a chance of maintaining their Division Two status. Just over 24 hours later the county launched new plans to integrate hurling […]
Réiteoir: A documentary is a documentary about life behind the whistle
IN a new documentary, broadcaster Gráinne McElwain examines the realities of life for a GAA football referee in the modern game. For many referees, physical and verbal abuse from teams, the stands and on social media is commonplace and some GAA county boards are struggling to find enough referees to officiate fixtures across a growing number […]
Feature: The NFL early winners and losers
With three round of the National Football League now complete, Niall McCoy looks who has caught the eye – for varying reasons – in the four divisions DIVISION ONE RIDING HIGH – DONEGAL A SIMPLE one to start – Dublin, Kerry and Armagh is close to as tough of an opening spell as you could […]
KEVIN CASSIDY: Painting a prettier picture
WHEN sitting down today to pen this week’s article, it has just dawned on me how easy this has become. What I mean by that is that, now, when I sit down after a weekend of football, there are so many interesting talking points to touch on when you compare that to last year when […]