McGarvey hoping Derry hurlers rise to the occasion


By Michael McMullan DERRY senior hurling manager Johnny McGarvey sees Saturday’s Christy Ring Cup final showdown with Meath as a “50-50” clash and hopes it’s his side that rises to the occasion. The Royals were narrow winners when the sides met at Owenbeg in the league stages of the competition, but Saturday (Croke Park, 5pm) […]


Mullan hails input of Derry management team


By Michael McMullan DERRY attacking ace John Mullan has heaped praise on their new-look management team after stepping in at the eleventh hour this season to help guide the Oakleafers to Saturday week’s Christy Ring Cup against Meath in Croke Park (5pm). Johnny McGarvey answered the call just three weeks before the league opener with […]


Ulster sides eye up final spots


By Shaun Casey DERRY can reach this season’s Christy Ring Cup final this weekend if they overcome Mayo, who sit at the bottom of the table with zero points to show from their four outings. Derry’s two-point win away to London last weekend means that their fate is all in their own hands ahead of […]


Derry’s fate is in their own hands


By Shaun Casey HEADING into the final two rounds of the Christy Ring Cup, Derry, who have drawn one, lost one and won one, can qualify for the final if they win their remaining two games against table toppers London and bottom of the pile Mayo. It’s all in their own hands and Derry manager […]


Derry enter the last chance saloon


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 […]


Derry braced for crucial Ballycran battle


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 […]


Oak Leaf  boss notes signs of encouragment


  By Niall Gartland DIVISION 2A newcomers Derry have been thrown in at the deep end with a gruelling run of fixtures but their manager Johnny McGarvey says he’s been ‘encouraged’ by their performances to date. They’re still searching for their first points of the campaign ahead of Sunday’s visit of  Kildare (Celtic Park 12.30pm), […]


Derry face into a rebuilding phase


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 […]


O’Kane joins Derry hurling management team


By Michael McMullan NEW Derry senior hurling manager Johnny McGarvey has finalised his management ahead of the 2023 season. McGarvey took over after Dominic McKinley and Cormac Donnelly stepped down at the start of the year. Former Ulster winning captain Conor Murray and  strength and conditioning coach Oisin Quinn have been retained from the previous […]