By Michael McMullan DERRY manager Ciarán Meenagh insists every league outing in Division Two is a big game as they welcome his native Tyrone to Celtic Park on Saturday evening. The Oakleafers head towards the weekend bidding for a first league win since their 2024 final drama against Dublin on penalties. “They’re all big games,” […]
By Michael McMullan SLEACHT Néill are set to appoint Austin O’Malley as their new senior football manager, Gaelic Life understands. The former Mayo and Wicklow player steered Cuala to their first ever Dublin senior title in 2024 before adding Leinster and All-Ireland glory. O’Malley stepped down after three seasons that culminated their capture of club […]
By Michael McMullan DERRY are planning without Lachlan Murray for Saturday night’s league clash with Ulster rivals Tyrone at Celtic Park. The Oakleafers will also be without the injured midfielder Dan Higgins and will have to assess the fitness of goalkeeper Ryan Scullion. Murray and Scullion were named to start Saturday’s opener against Meath with […]
BY the time this column is published, county managers up and down the country will be like the referee from the original Gladiators show, John Anderson, roaring: “Gladiators, are you ready?!” This is exactly what will be echoed across the changing rooms during the final inter-county sessions on Thursday and Friday of this weekend. After a […]
By Michael McMullan DERRY manager Ciarán Meenagh has named his first squad of the league ahead of Saturday’s clash with Meath at Croke Park (3pm). There are three changes in the listed first 15 from the team that started their McKenna Cup defeat to Donegal. Sleacht Néill duo Brendan Rogers and Shane McGuigan are set […]
By Michael McMullan DERRY manager Ciarán Meenagh feels his side must find a balance in focus this weekend as their league campaign gets underway against Meath. With Páirc Tailteann under repair, the Royals have nominated Croke Park for their home games. Saturday’s opener (3pm) has been in the Derry sights since the fixtures came out, […]
Eugene Young recently retired from Ulster GAA last month after 25 years. He was the director of coaching and games development. He sat down with Michael McMullan… ON the face of it nothing has changed in Eugene Young’s world. Sitting in Magherafelt’s Terrace Hotel, on the second Friday in January, sport, and GAA in particular, […]
Monaghan v Tyrone (Wednesday, Inniskeen, 7.30pm) TYRONE are at the top of the McKenna Cup roll of honour with 17 titles and Monaghan are just behind them with 15. For one of these counties, their participation in this year’s competition will come to an end on Wednesday evening. Gabriel Bannigan’s men have home advantage at […]
By Michael McMullan GLENULLIN manager Michael O’Kane was both annoyed and heartbroken after Sunday’s All-Ireland final. Trailing 0-9 to 0-1 at half-time, the Derry champions did finish on the front foot in the final quarter, hitting late scores with the result all but cemented. O’Kane was visibility distraught and wasn’t looking back on a memorable […]
Michael McMullan takes a look ahead to Derry’s new season and the importance of getting back to winning ways PICTURE the scene. Ulster final day 2022. St Tiernach’s Park. Chrissy McKaigue was about to lift the Anglo Celt Cup. The game’s ebbing through the wringer of extra-time poured petrol on a 24-year-old Derry fire of […]
