Oakleafers eye first All-Ireland U-20 title


All-Ireland U-20 B HC final Derry v Roscommon Saturday, Croke Park, 2.45pm By Michael McMullan DERRY are aiming for a first ever All-Ireland U-20 hurling title when they take on Roscommon in Saturday’s showdown in Croke Park. The Oakleafers lost to Kerry (2018) and Meath (2021) in their previous finals before going under to eventual […]


Dominic McKinley: A lifetime of devotion


Dominic McKinley has played and coached at the highest level. Hurling and camogie remain very much in his blood. He sat down with Michael McMullan to chat about his career. DOMINIC McKinley, one of seven sons, came in the middle of John and Jane’s family of 13. Across from their home in Ballyknock, the McFaddens […]


Derry enter the last chance saloon


By Michael McMullan SUNDAY’S trip to Carlow is a must win game in Johnny McGarvey’s book. A draw would be enough if Kerry beat Down at home, but McGarvey isn’t dealing in the maybes as the Oakleafers aim to beat the drop straight back to Division 2B. Derry were without a point going into Sunday’s […]


Derry braced for crucial Ballycran battle


By Shaun Casey IT’S all on the line in Ballycran this weekend as Derry and Down battle it out for their first two points of the season. The two Ulster sides sit at the bottom of Division 2A, both on zero points after three games, so Sunday is a huge opportunity to get off the […]


Oak Leaf  boss notes signs of encouragment


  By Niall Gartland DIVISION 2A newcomers Derry have been thrown in at the deep end with a gruelling run of fixtures but their manager Johnny McGarvey says he’s been ‘encouraged’ by their performances to date. They’re still searching for their first points of the campaign ahead of Sunday’s visit of  Kildare (Celtic Park 12.30pm), […]


Derry face into a rebuilding phase


By Michael McMullan DERRY hurlers begin a challenging Division 2A campaign at home to Kerry on Saturday (Celtic Park 2pm) without the spine of the team that gained promotion last season. Of the team that saw off Sligo in the promotion final, 14 of the 26 players listed in the programme are not part of […]


McKaigue happy for consistent Sleacht Néillto stay relevant


By Michael McMullan CONSISTENCY is a currency Chrissy McKaigue loves to deal in and as Sleacht Néill eye a fifth Ulster Hurling Championship on Sunday, the former skipper eyes the bigger picture. He knows nothing else. Despite the highs and lows of a decade of knocking on championship doors of all titles, the deep-thinking McKaigue […]


Mooney hopes Eoghan Rua keep on climbing


By Michael McMullan EOGHAN RUA Coleraine captain Ruairi Mooney says hurling in the club has reached its highest point to date as they prepare for the visit of Middletown to Celtic Park on Sunday. Their Derry Intermediate Championship success might have raised a few eyebrows outside the club, but, for Mooney, it’s the step they […]


Glass hoping for improved Na Magha performance on the Ulster scene


By Michael McMullan THEY may have entered the Ulster scene through the back door, but midfielder Bliadhan Glass insists Na Magha have fully bought into their build-up to Sunday’s meeting with Warrenpoint. Na Magha lost out to Lavey in the Derry junior final but weren’t graded as a junior team with Na Magha taking their […]