By Michael McMullan DERRY manager Rory Gallagher has called on the GAA to “put back” or “find a solution to” a change of ruling that will prevent five of his squad from taking part in u-20 and senior championship games within three days later this month. The Oakleafers’ boss hit out the GAA ruling being […]
DECLAN McCOY: The imitation game
April 2, 2023
GAELIC football is gradually moving towards a reset in the fundamental make up of teams. We have two points to consider in this regard. Firstly, the standard programme lays out the 15 players in the traditional structure. They consist of a ‘keeper, six defenders, two midfielders and six forwards. I can’t for the life of […]
Dubs rematch a means to an end for Derry
April 1, 2023
National Football League Division Two final Derry v Dublin Sunday, Croke Park, 1.45pm By Michael McMullan JUST 27 days after Brendan Rogers kicked Derry to victory with the last action against the Dubs at Celtic Park, Rory Gallagher’s side will again cross swords with them. Five years and eight days since their relegation to Division […]
Derry name team for Croker showdown with the Dubs
March 31, 2023
CHRISSY McKaigue has not been listed in the Derry squad for Sunday’s NFL Division Two final with Dublin in Croke Park (1.45). McKaigue made an appearance in last week’s draw with Cork from the bench before being forced off with injury. Eoin McEvoy wasn’t in the panel for Wednesday’s u-20 win over Fermanagh but is […]
Steven Poacher: Deciding the first line of engagement
March 31, 2023
AS the National Football league round robin concluded at the weekend, a lot of talking points emerged, some familiar ones, such as the magic of Monaghan, Mayo flying in the league again, Derry’s continued resurgence under Gallagher and then we had the Armagh debate, a fan base with huge expectations, but are these expectations realistic […]
Meenagh feels O’Hanlon will keep his spot over returning Cluxton
March 30, 2023
By Michael McMullan DERRY assistant manager Ciaran Meenagh isn’t expecting eight-time All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton to dislodge David O’Hanlon ahead of Sunday’s Division Two league final. The 41-year-old made a surprise return to ease a goalkeeping injury crisis in Dessie Farrell’s squad, news that filtered into the Derry camp before their draw with Cork. […]
Seniors showing the way in Derry
March 29, 2023
By Shaun Casey RORY Gallagher’s Derry senior team competing at the top table will only drive the underage sides on says u-20 captain Dan Higgins. Higgins was part of the minor panel that won the All-Ireland in 2020 and from that side, Eoin McEvoy, Matthew Downey, Lachlan Murray, Niall O’Donnell and Mark Doherty have graduated […]
Meenagh backs McKaigue to be ready for league decider
March 28, 2023
By Michael McMullan ALL-STAR defender Chrissy McKaigue should be in line for action in Sunday’s NFL showdown with Dublin says Derry Assistant Manager Ciaran Meenagh. Speaking at Monday’s launch of the Ulster Championship, Meenagh also paid to tribute to strength and conditioning coaches Peter Hughes and Sean Quinn with he county’s medical team for keeping […]
Gallagher grants Derry players week off
March 23, 2023
By Michael McMullan DERRY manager Rory Gallagher has given his players the week off ahead of Sunday’s trip to Páirc Uí Chaoimh Last weekend’s win over Clare clinched the promotion spot the Oakleafers missed out on last year and with Cork losing to Louth, it leaves Sunday’s game a dead rubber. “We had planned to take […]
Heron delighted to be going up
March 22, 2023
By Michael McMullan A COLLECTIVE “ambition” and “togetherness” is paying dividends in Derry according to attacker Benny Heron. Having made his debut in 2013 when Derry were last promoted to Division One, the Ballinascreen man has experienced the dark days on the fall to the fourth tier and is glad to see the bounce back. […]