By Michael McMullan WHEN Derry downloaded the data from their GPS units after Saturday’s win over Tyrone, they won’t have found the key ingredient of victory. For vice-captain Gareth McKinless, thee most pleasing aspect of their 1-15 to 1-12 victory was the most basic of building blocks. “Probably something the GPS can’t measure — grit, […]
IT all started with the Derry Board appointing Mickey Harte, which was like putting Vladimir Putin in charge of America. When Mickey took over we had just won two consecutive Ulster Championships and were beaten at the death by Kerry in the previous year’s All-Ireland semi-final. After Donegal humiliated us in the first round in […]
Derry 1-15 Tyrone 1-12 By Michael McMullan Derry bounced back from last week’s defeat to Meath with a vital home win over neighbours Tyrone on Saturday night in Celtic Park. It’s a first league win since their penalty shootout win over Dublin in the 2024 final at Croke Park. Advertisement It was a victory built […]
By Michael McMullan DERRY will take on Laois on Sunday as their Division Two campaign swings into round two. The Oakleafers travel south on the back of a chastening home defeat at the hands of Kerry last weekend in the league opener. The Kingdom hit two early goals as they shot into a commanding interval […]
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, […]
