A split season for codes?

DUNLOY won the Antrim senior hurling championship last weekend and now face a wait until December 12 to play their Ulster club match against the winners of Derry, which will be decided in a few weeks time. So it’s a two-month wait until they face what is a huge game for a club that is eager to win their first provincial title since the 2009/2010 season. If there is a frustration in this scenario it might be from O’Donovan Rossa, who had to play in the senior football championship at the same time as they were playing in the senior hurling competition. Was there any necessity for them to play both at the same time, if the hurling didn’t need to be complete till the end of December? It feels like a split season for hurling and football might be a good idea. At the same time, Rossa didn’t lose the final because of dual issues, Dunloy were just too good.
RONAN SCOTT

Rolling backs the years

THE Tyrone Club Championship – you couldn’t script it. There were a number of amazing games over the weekend in Tyrone, from Coalisland’s smash ‘n’ grab against Edendork to Dromore’s extra-time victory over Dungannon. There’s so many narratives, but I thought I might as well shine a spotlight on Dromore icon Eoin McCusker. He’s never played intercounty football, but he’s won three county medals and is still going strong at 36 years old. He came off the bench on Monday and scored five points against the reigning champions, which was some going. I interviewed him last year and one thing that resonated with me was his winner’s mentality – he said the young lads on the team basically needed to buck up, and it seems they’re doing that. Dromore or Errigal for me…
NIALL GARTLAND

Gallagher’s early impact

RORY Gallagher’s extension was a fairly routine appointment, and a sign of just how much he has won over the doubters. When he was appointed, his style of play brought trepidation and some were unsure, but the Oakleafers are clearly on an upward trend. They should have beaten Donegal last year – I’m not quite sure how they didn’t – and league football at a higher level next season will bring them on massively. A pathway for the All-Ireland 2020 minors has already been created and some of those will be in his 2021 squad. It all points to a bright few years for Derry – and Gallagher seems to be key to that.
NIALL MCCOY