Family bonds behind Portaferry success


By Shaun Casey GERARD McGrattan was still playing the last time Portaferry claimed three consecutive county titles, and last Sunday, he patrolled the sidelines and watched on as his son led the line on another historic day for the club. Sunday past was the first time since 2002 that Portaferry won three in-a-row, and Tom […]


KEVIN CASSIDY: Group stage finale doesn’t get the pulse racing


WE are at the stage of the group stages of this year’s All-Ireland series and finally we should see some real championship matches this weekend. A lot has been said and written about the format of the championship this year. I do think that perhaps we might see some changes to this in the future […]


Harte feels football rules changes are not required


By Michael McMullan DERRY manager Mickey Harte doesn’t feel rule changes are needed in Gaelic football and admits he isn’t a fan of the forward mark. Speaking after Sunday’s win over Galway after watching Eoin McEvoy become the fourth member of this defence to find the net this season, Harte questioned why rules would need […]


A ‘Fresher’ look at the game


Two new rules are being experimented with at university Fresher level in the GAA. Michael McMullan went along to see ATU Donegal in action against Queen’s and got the thoughts from both camps. THERE are two new rules relating to both kick-outs and the direction of the play from a set piece. The kick-out rule […]


GERARD O’KANE – Fans are voting with their feet


THE ‘State of the Nation’ address is an annual message delivered by the President of the United States on the current condition of the nation in terms of economy, education, health etc. Well in the last few weeks, it seems like half of all GAA related articles and almost 100 per cent of podcasts I have […]


KEVIN CASSIDY: A rethink on underage ruling is badly needed


I’VE purposely left this sit for a week to see what sort of reaction would occur from the decision to ban competitive action at under age levels. I’ve gone on record here before stating that sometimes the GAA amazes me – in particular, how they come about some of the decisions that they take and […]


Patton anticipates confusion and mistakes


By Frank Craig SHAUN Patton admits there will be plenty of trepidation surrounding the GAA’s return to play – and it won’t all be Covid-19 based. The GAA has confirmed that the new playing rule changes, implemented at the start of the year, are to remain in place. Inter-county sides have some experience of the […]