Harte fully checked into Derry’s Croker test


By Michael McMullan SECONDS into his post-game comments following Sunday’s win over Roscommon, Derry manager Mickey Harte set the scene for their league final showdown with Dublin this weekend. With news of the All-Ireland champions posting 5-18 against his native Tyrone, Harte used the ‘J’ word. “Any day you get to the Division One final, […]


KEVIN CASSIDY: The gloves are off


THE gloves will come off this weekend with all teams expected to go full throttle in search of national titles. We will start with my own Donegal in Sunday’s Division Two final, part of a Croke Park double header. I fully expect Jim McGuiness (pictured right) to go all out in search of the victory. […]


Binning league finals would be a disgrace: Harte


By Michael McMullan DERRY manager Mickey Harte insists it would be a “disgrace” to do away with league finals and feels there is too much “whinging” about the state of football. The Oakleafers’ win over Roscommon earned top spot ahead of Sunday’s final showdown with Dublin. Had Derry been presented with the cup on Sunday […]


Harte not yet checked into final spot


By Michael McMullan IT’S hard to imagine anything other than Derry taking on Dublin in the league final later this month, but Mickey Harte’s focus remains on their final game this weekend. Should Roscommon cause a shock at Celtic Park on Sunday, expected wins for Dublin and Kerry would leave three teams on 10 points […]


Derry make one change for Roscommon visit


By Michael McMullan DERRY have made one change for Sunday’s visit of Roscommon to Celtic Park (1.45pm). Niall Toner came on at half time for Niall Loughlin in Castlebar to score three vital points to clinch victory. Toner is listed to start on Sunday with Loughlin dropping out of the matchday panel. Advertisement His place […]


KEVIN CASSIDY: Not so super Sunday


WE had hoped for a super Saturday and super Sunday type situation this weekend where a close eye would be kept on all scores to see who might make the drop and who would potentially make the finals. However, the way the games have gone to date, we know a lot of what will potentially […]


Harte not rushing back Doherty


By Michael McMullan DERRY manager Mickey Harte will be taking advice before deciding on Conor Doherty’s return to action. The Newbridge man played every minute of Derry’s season until a knee injury forced him off before half-time of their victory over Galway in Salthill. A scan revealed the injury wasn’t as serious as initially feared […]


Derry eye final spot


15By Michael McMullan GETTING to the National League final is on Derry’s radar ahead of Sunday’s showdown with reigning champions Mayo in Castlebar. With much debate surrounding the varying levels of value put on a league title, Derry selector Paul McFlynn feels his side’s focus has to be on a final berth. “There is no […]


JOE BROLLY: Derry not for Sam


DUBLIN’S opening two boring defeats in the league prompted me to ask the question, “Why won’t they kick the ball in to Con O’Callaghan?” For those games, he was a peripheral presence, traking back and tackling round the middle third, taking a handpass at the last minute in a crowded defence. What a waste. Like […]