Bell reflects on year of progress


By Michael McMullan CROKE Park on All-Ireland final day isn’t often a place for reflection. Not the long-term variety. In defeat, it’s less likely. In chewing the fat of a gut-wrenching defeat, it’s often deep in any memory bank. For Ballinderry manager Jarlath Bell, a general story of the Shamrocks’ season can be quickly summated. […]


Ballinderry boss expects ‘poignant’ occasion in rescheduled All-Ireland final


By Niall Gartland BALLINDERRY’S All-Ireland Intermediate Championship final will belatedly go ahead this Sunday at Croke Park following the tragedy which unfolded in opposition club Crossmolina a fortnight ago. Days before the game was initially scheduled to take place, the desperately sad news emerged that Róisin Cryan – who was engaged to Mayo and Crossmolina footballer Conor Loftus – […]


Ulster’s All-Ireland Club winning captains


Shaun Casey looks at the players who have had the pleasure of lifting the Andy Merrigan Cup Connor Carville (Glen, 2023/24) CARVILLE led the Watty Graham’s club throughout the most successful period in their history, culminating in the 2024 All-Ireland Senior Championship title. Glen won three Derry Championships in a row (2021, ‘22 and ‘23) and […]


Ballinderry’s All-Ireland final refixture confirmed


BALLINDERRY and Crossmolina will play their All-Ireland intermediate final on Sunday week. After a tragedy in the Mayo club, the original fixture was postponed and the teams will meet on Sunday, January 26 at Croke Park (1.30pm). The Shamrocks booked their final spot with victory over Austin Stacks and – like Crossmolina – aim to […]


Ballinderry’s All-Ireland Intermediate final postponed


SUNDAY’S All-Ireland Intermediate Football Championship final between Ballinderry and Crossmolina has been postponed. The news was confirmed in a brief statement released this morning by the GAA, which reads: “Due to tragic events, the AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship Final between Crossmolina Deel Rovers and Ballinderry is postponed.” Details of the refixture will […]


Ballinderry’s brightest moment


Ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland Intermediate final, Shaun Casey speaks to Declan Bateson about Ballinderry’s most famous day, their 2002 All-Ireland Senior final win over Nemo Rangers. BELLAGHY were the constant stumbling block. Ballinderry held the tag of the second-best team in the Oakleaf County for two years running, no dispute, but it was Bellaghy who […]


St Paul’s: No minor matter


Christmas means St Paul’s in Belfast for the top minor football teams across Ulster. Michael McMullan looks at the leading clubs across the competition’s history Ballinderry 4 1996, 1997, 2001, 2008 THE Shamrocks are one of the two Derry clubs to have won the title on four occasions, with three different teams. Gerard Cassidy was […]


I always wanted to win something with Ballinderry says Duffin


By Michael McMullan IF Oisín Duffin wasn’t the last player out of the Ballinderry dressing room, he wasn’t far off it. When you’ve waited as long for success in a Shamrocks’ jersey as he has, Saturday night needed bottled and kept. Under a moustache, there was the grin of a champion. A man wanting to digest every […]


Bell hails the winning Ballinderry formula


By Michael McMullan BALLINDERRY manager Jarlath Bell said winning Ulster was “believable” and highlighted the important of hanging tough along the way. They had tight battles with Banagher and Faughanvale – after a replay – to win the Derry title. Carrickcruppen took them to a point before Niall O’Donnell’s goal kicked them clear. Against Derrylaughan, […]