By Michael McMullan CLANN Éireann captain Conor McConville pointed to their control in tight corners this season and its importance in Sunday’s win over Derry champions Newbridge. The sides were level five times during the second half and Clann Éireann had to dig in when Newbridge – led by Derry star Conor Doherty – overcame […]
By Shaun Casey CLANN Éireann won’t be taking anything for granted when they take on Derry champions Newbridge at Celtic Park this Sunday in the opening round of the Ulster Championship, says boss Ruairi Lavery. Newbridge upset the odds in the Oakleaf County, overcoming Derry, Ulster and All-Ireland champions Glen in the final. While many […]
JUST as I was about to finish this week’s piece the earth-shattering news broke that Micheal Murphy has returned to the Donegal camp. Rumours had been floating about for a number of weeks and I have to admit when I saw him on TV during the interprovincials last month, I noticed he has trimmed down a […]
By Niall Gartland PADRAIG McGrogan will kick every ball as Newbridge take to the provincial stage in Sunday’s Ulster Senior Championship quarter-final clash against Clann Éireann. McGrogan was forced to sit out his club’s surge to a first Derry Senior Championship title in a full three-and-half decades, culminating in the dethroning of All-Ireland kingpins Glen […]
WHEN my Gaoth Dobhair team were fortunate enough to be still in competition at this time of year, we used to love these few months. There is something special about still training this time of year, because that means that you are on the verge of doing something extraordinary. Most county finals are played at this […]
By Niall Gartland A MAGICAL moment captured for posterity. Conor McGrogan sank to his knees and embraced Mark and Conleith, also of the McGrogan stable, at the final whistle of a long-awaited Derry Senior Championship triumph for Newbridge. Not only had the O’Leary’s clinched their first senior title in 35 years, but they’d done so […]
Lawrence Walls played senior football for Newbridge across four decades. His nephew Declan McKeever is the oldest player on the current squad. Both men are buzzing. Michael McMullan went to meet them. A WAIT of 33 years is down to just nine days. If at all possible, football talk is even more dominant around […]
By Michael McMullan SHANE McGrogan’s winning goal booked Newbridge’s place in a first county final in 33 years and ended two years of hurt. When Conor Doherty’s point attempt dropped shot, McGrogan flicked to the net to sink Magherafelt in Saturday’s drab semi-final. It was a third semi-final in as many seasons for Newbridge. They […]
By Michael McMullan MAGHERAFELT will be boosted by the return of Derry defender Eoin McEvoy for Saturday’s Derry SFC semi-final showdown with Newbridge. McEvoy, a nominee for Young Player of the Year, missed Sunday’s win over Dungiven due to his AFL trials down under. Magherafelt were 2-6 to 0-7 winners thanks to goals from Declan […]
By Michael McMullan THE 12 teams still in the hunt to get their hands on the John McLaughlin Cup will be shaved back this weekend with the penultimate round of group games in the Derry Senior Football Championship. Sleacht Néill and Newbridge have won all three games to date inflicting the only defeats on All-Ireland […]
