ON the four previous occasions that Sleacht Néill have reached the All-Ireland semi-finals, they’ve always given a really, really good account of themselves. They’ve never been overly lucky with the draw they’ve got. To me, the big thing about this game against Sarsfields is that historically, first time Munster winners tend to just be content […]
By Michael McMullan SLEACHT Néill hurlers face into the club’s fifth All-Ireland semi-final bidding to smash the glass ceiling to book a first ever appearance in the showpiece. After winning a fifth Ulster Championship – on the back of a 12th successive Derry title – they take on Sarsfields of Cork on Sunday. Their semi-final […]
By Michael McMullan ULSTER champions Sleacht Néill are “under no illusions” about the battle they’ll face in Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final but are tapping into the experience of their four forays into the national stage. Sleacht Néill take on Munster champions Sarsfields on Sunday bidding to book a first ever hurling final showdown. After a […]
BY Michael McMullan CORMAC O’Doherty has been around enough corners to know that Sleacht Néill must have their eyes peeled with Portaferry coming down the tracks this week. While they’ve dominated the Derry scene for 12 seasons, they’ve just over a 50 per cent hit rate from their Ulster final appearances. Ballycran gave them a lesson […]
By Niall Gartland CAOLAN Taggart was only a teenager when he pocketed an Ulster Championship medal back in 2014, but it’s taken Portaferry a full 10 years to get back to provincial final day. You could point out with some justification that they have received a bye into the final, but their performance against eventual champions […]
By Michael McMullan PAUL McNeill puts the Sleacht Néill hurlers’ consistency down to a sheer desire to win but admits improvements are needed ahead of Saturday’s Ulster semi-final date with reigning champions Cushendall. The vice-captain’s first taste of senior hurling was his addition to the panel for their 2014 replay defeat at the hands of […]
THE big game this weekend is the meeting of Sleacht Néill and Cushendall in the Ulster Senior Club Championship semi-final. It’s a repeat of last year’s final – Cushendall were full value for their 0-20 to 2-10 success – and they’re expected by the bookies to repeat the trick and book their spot in the decider against Portaferry […]
A look back through the decades… 10 YEARS AGO… THERE was a big shock in Newry as Dessie Mone – who came on in Clontibret’s Monaghan semi-final win over Ballybay on Sunday past – scored a last-gasp goal to help their side past favourites Kilcoo in the Ulster Club Championship. The Magpies already knew they […]
By Michael McMullan SLEACHT Néill manager Mark Doran will be the coach of Roscommon next season after joining up with Davy Burke’s management team. The former Down player has coached his native county as well as Clare and Wicklow. At club level, he guided to Ballybay to the senior title in Monaghan and has spent […]
By Michael McMullan SLEACHT Néill’s performance in their quarter-final win over Ballinascreen won’t be enough to beat the other contenders in the John McLaughlin Cup race insists coach Niall Morgan. The Tyrone goalkeeper joined Mark Doran’s management team this season as the Emmet’s bid for a first title since 2020. Morgan was speaking before the […]
