Magherafelt return to St Paul’s after 13-year wait


By Niall Gartland CIARAN Higgins has had a long association with the St Paul’s tournament and he’s hoping that this particular Magherafelt side can do something special in this year’s competition. Higgins lined out in the St Paul’s Tournament as a player back in 1992 where they fell short against a strong Clan na Gael […]


Four Masters are hoping for another St Paul’s adventure


By Niall Gartland FOUR Masters are set to represent Donegal in the St Paul’s tournament for the second year running and that alone is an indication that they’re firmly on the right track as a club. The back-to-back Donegal Minor Champions made it all the way to the final in last year’s Ulster Championship at […]


Glen must be ready for a battle: Bradley


By Michael McMullan GLEN selector Johnny Bradley insists his side must brace themselves for a “serious battle” when they lock horns with Magherafelt in Sunday’s final (Celtic Park, 3.30pm). The Ulster champions are one game away from a third successive title, something Bradley didn’t entertain as being anywhere in the Glen psyche. Sunday is a […]


Magherafelt content with progress ahead of final showdown


By Michael McMullan BRIAN McGuckin said the Magherafelt camp are “really content” with where they are at ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Glen (Celtic Park, 3.30pm). After seeing off Newbridge, their recovery process and preparations fully kicked in for Sunday’s date with the champions. Conor Kearns, a central player in their 2019 and 2020 runs […]


Magherafelt expecting another tough test in semi-final


By Michael McMullan IT was irrelevant who Magherafelt got in the Derry SFC semi-final draw insists Brian McGuckin, and he expects a “huge battle” with Newbridge on Saturday (Owenbeg, 5.45pm). McGuckin and Damian Barton are in their second year in charge of Magherafelt with Kilcoo’s All-Ireland winning coach Richard Thornton coming on board this season. […]


Derry club feel extra year of underage would help retention


By Michael McMullan A DERRY club feel the current odd underage format of u-13, u-15, u-17 and u-19 is “broken” and another year of underage, up to u-18, would help with player retention. There has been renewed debate surrounding the pros and cons of underage currently organised in odd (u-13, u-15, u-17 and u-19) categories […]


Derry’s sorting out process begins


By Michael McMullan GLEN are the team to beat in the race to land the John McLaughlin Cup with the Watties eyeing up a third title on the trot. Magherafelt, who beat them in the 2019 decider, are the main challenger at this point with Sleacht Néill needing a change in fortunes to kickstart their […]


Rossa quality helping to build a squad


By Michael McMullan THE volume of games in the Derry club scene demands a deep squad insists Richard Thornton who is happy with what Magherafelt have under the bonnet. The All-Ireland winning coach with Kilcoo joined Damian Barton’s management team this season was speaking after one of the newcomers, Ryan Lennox, fisted Rossa to victory […]


McGuckin hoping extra quality makes the difference


BY KIERAN LYNCH THE Derry Football Championships get underway this weekend, and O’Donovan Rossa will be hoping that they can be amongst the contenders at senior grade. The Magherafelt men won the crown in 2019 and were beaten finalists in 2020, but with Glen and Slaughtneil the major players over the last few years, that […]


Higgins basks in glory of Derry’s end goal


By Michael McMullan DERRY attacking ace Conall Higgins said a combination of factors made him feel an All-Ireland Minor title was something the squad could accomplish. Higgins was one of five players from last year’s team who were narrowly beaten at the semi-final stage by eventual champions Galway. After missing this year’s semi-final win over […]