After a year of inter-county football action, Shaun Casey runs his eye over the Ulster teams… Antrim The Good – A run to the Tailteann Cup semi-finals and an outing in Croke Park signals a decent first season in the hotseat for former Meath boss Andy McEntee. It was his native county that ended the […]
All-Star ballers
July 28, 2023
1 Shane Ryan (Kerry) IN our book, Ryan has been the outstanding goalkeeper in this year’s championship. His kick-outs have been superb, he’s made some smart saves and he even scored a point from play against Derry (a controversial point, granted). A very assured goalkeeper indeed. 2 Tom O’Sullivan (Kerry) Advertisement TOM O’Sullivan missed […]
Meenagh: We want to produce a better semi-final showing than last year
July 6, 2023
By Michael McMullan WHILE Derry manager Ciarán Meenagh accepts the “fair” opinion that his side may not be in Gaelic football’s very top elite bracket, the Oakleafers’ latest training window is aimed at giving a better account than their 2022 All-Ireland semi-final. Speaking after their four-point win over Cork – and before being they were […]
Brendan Rogers – the Smiling Assassin
May 25, 2023
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 […]
All-Ireland trail now in Derry’s sights says Rogers
May 18, 2023
By Michael McMullan BIDDING for the county’s All-Ireland title will definitely be long-term thoughts when Derry return to training insists Ulster final goalscorer Brendan Rogers. Winning the McKenna Cup was the first target. Tick. Next, it was righting the wrongs of their 2022 promotion failure. Tick. Then it moved on to retaining their Ulster title. Tick. “Tuesday […]
Glass and Rogers “have everything you want” says Seamie O’Shea
May 17, 2023
DERRY’S midfield pairing of Conor Glass and Brendan Rogers “have everything you want around the middle of the field” says former Mayo star Seamie O’Shea. O’Shea lined out around the middle throughout his playing days, never came up against Glass or Rogers. Looking on at the minute however, he picks them out as one of […]
Rogers hails shootout hero Lynch after Clones drama
May 16, 2023
By Michael McMullan DERRY’S Ulster final goalscorer Brendan Rogers was full of praise for penalty shoot out hero Odhrán Lynch after Sunday’s pulsating Ulster final. The Oakleafers made history after retaining the Anglo Celt Cup for the first time since 1976 with Lynch making three top drawer saves. Rogers offered a polite chuckle when asked […]
Ulster final: Derry v Armagh – The key areas of Sunday’s showdown
May 13, 2023
Compiled by Michael McMullan HOT SHOTS DERRY – Shane McGuigan McGUIGAN has bagged over a third of Derry’s scores this season and is getting even more comfortable turning onto his right side to leave defenders guessing. One of the best forwards in the game, he has the cut of a player with an inner goal […]
The big-game performers on Ulster final day
May 11, 2023
Niall Gartland takes a look at the footballers who have shone brightest on Ulster Championship final day in recent seasons, picking up the Man of the Match awards 2022: Brendan Rogers (Derry) ONE of the most likeable lads on the inter-county circuit and also one of the most talented, Brendan Rogers had a game to […]
Ending Ulster losing streak helped Derry momentum change says Rogers
April 27, 2023
By Michael McMullan IT took 24 years for the Anglo Celt Cup to make a return to Derry and Brendan Rogers feels ending their losing streak in Ulster was huge for the group’s development. The Oakleafers put their title on the line against Monaghan in Saturday’s semi-final, a repeat of last season’s last four won […]