Portaferry poised for shot at redemption


By Shaun Casey LAST year’s 19-point pummelling at the hands of Sleacht Néill still rankles with the Portaferry players and they’re hoping to right those wrong this weekend. They take on Antrim champions Cushendall in the Ulster semi-final in Armagh on Sunday and the Down men are keen to make an impact in Ulster. “I wasn’t […]


Hurling Kings of Ulster


Oisin Duddy looks back at the last ten winners of the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship 2013 – Loughgiel Shamrocks (Antrim) THE only Ulster club to win the All-Ireland series was back in action winning their fourth Ulster title in a-row, beating Derry’s Sleacht Néill in their own backyard in Celtic Park with Liam Watson scoring […]


Rogers “excited” by Harte appointment


By Shaun Casey DERRY star Brendan Rogers admits he was “surprised” but “excited” by the introduction of three-time All-Ireland manager Mickey Harte as the new Oak Leaf boss. Harte guided his native county Tyrone to the Sam Maguire in 2003, 2005 and 2008 and spent the last two seasons in Louth where he gained back-to-back […]


GAA President elect visits Derry primary school


By Michael McMullan GAA President elect Jarlath Burns was a special guest in St Brigid’s Primary School Tirkane/Bunscoil Naomh Bríd Tír Chiana on Wednesday afternoon. A long-term friend and college colleague at St Mary’s University College in Belfast of acting principal Ursula O’Hanlon, Burns was given a guard of honour with pupils all dressed in their […]


Mindset sets Sleacht Néill apart: McShane


By Michael McMullan MICHAEL McShane insists that Sleacht Néill’s mindset has been the driving force of keeping them at the top of Derry hurling for over a decade. Of their eleven successive titles, McShane has been at the helm for nine with previous winning manager Padraig Dougan added to the management team this season. They’ve […]


McShane happy with McKaigue in his new attacking role


By Michael McMullan SLEACHT Néill hurling boss Michael McShane’s thinking outside the box has given former defender Karl McKaigue a new lease of life in an attacking role. The Emmet’s take on Kevin Lynch’s on Sunday (Owenbeg 4pm) as they bid for an 11th senior title in a fifth consecutive final meeting of the big […]


An even bigger prize for Sunday’s winners in Derry


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 […]


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 […]