By Michael McMullan THERE is an even bigger prize for the winners of Sunday’s Derry Senior Hurling final with a passport straight through to December’s Ulster final. In the fixture cycle, it’s the turn of the Derry champions to get a bye with the Antrim and Down winners facing off in the semi-final. Champions Sleacht […]
Brendan Rogers – the Smiling Assassin
Derry star Brendan Rogers has swapped the number three jersey and has been revelling in a new midfield role. Michael McMullan spoke to some of the men who coached and played with him CLOSE to an hour after kicking the winner in Derry’s win over Dublin, Brendan Rogers is still smiling. Still signing autographs. Celtic […]
Skipper Cassidy hails Derry togetherness
By Michael McMullan CAPTAIN Jack Cassidy hailed the togetherness in the Derry camp after the county won their first All-Ireland U-20 B hurling title at the weekend. Derry’s 3-17 to 2-14 win over Roscommon at Croke Park made up for losing two previous finals and it gives the county a boost going with the prospect […]
Dominic McKinley: A lifetime of devotion
Dominic McKinley has played and coached at the highest level. Hurling and camogie remain very much in his blood. He sat down with Michael McMullan to chat about his career. DOMINIC McKinley, one of seven sons, came in the middle of John and Jane’s family of 13. Across from their home in Ballyknock, the McFaddens […]
Something special
By Shaun Casey WHAT makes Sleacht Néill so special? If you’re to believe Aoife Ní Chaiside, then there’s not that much really. But we all know different. Over the last decade, the club has emerged as one of the best in the land at football, hurling and camogie. Under the watchful eye of Mickey Moran, […]
Banagher annonce Paul Bradley as their new manager
By Michael McMullan BANAGHER have appointed Paul Bradley as their new senior football manager for the 2023 season. Bradley, a five-time senior championship winner with Sleacht Neill, stepped down after the years as the Emmet’s boss. Sleacht Néill won their last senior title in 2020, his first season, followed by two county final defeats at […]
McShane backs Emmet’s squad to bounce back after Ulster final defeat
By Michael McMullan SLEACHT Néill will bounce back and be back challenging for Ulster titles insisted manager Michael McShane after Sunday’s Ulster final defeat to Dunloy. It was the Derry champions’ first defeat inside the province of Ulster since going to down to Cushendall in an extra-time showdown in 2015. “The first thing I will […]
Gregory O’Kane sees Dunloy’s new generation come of age
By Michael McMullan THE door may have closed on them, but Dunloy kept beating until it opened for the first time since 2009 on Sunday and the Four Seasons Cup found a new home for Christmas. For manager Gregory O’Kane, a multiple championship winner as a player, he was content the latest crop of players […]
Dunloy sink champions to end Ulster championship famine
ULSTER CLUB SHC FINAL Dunloy 2-12 Sleacht Néill 0-16 By Michael McMullan DUNLOY’S ended their wait for a first Ulster title since 2009 on Sunday with victory over champions Sleacht Néill in a blockbuster in Armagh. Advertisement It was a victory built on two first half goals, with Nigel Elliott’s strike shooting the Saffron champions […]
McKaigue happy for consistent Sleacht Néillto stay relevant
By Michael McMullan CONSISTENCY is a currency Chrissy McKaigue loves to deal in and as Sleacht Néill eye a fifth Ulster Hurling Championship on Sunday, the former skipper eyes the bigger picture. He knows nothing else. Despite the highs and lows of a decade of knocking on championship doors of all titles, the deep-thinking McKaigue […]