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 […]
Eoghan Rua hurlers thriving on battling displays on the title trail
By Michael McMullan IT’S been an eventful season for the hurlers of Eoghan Rua who take on Ballinascreen this Saturday’s intermediate decider. After languishing in the junior ranks, a win over Lavey was the springboard on their way to defeating a fancied Swatragh in the semi-final. With last weekend’s football relegation play-off with Kilrea called […]
Derry Hurling’s social side
By Michael McMullan BALLINSCREEN will host Derry Social Hurling’s second tournament on Saturday with 10 teams on board, over double the field of their first event. Following on from social hurling in Dublin and Belfast, it began in Claudy with Paul Brady who has since moved to Belfast. Social Hurling is the closest thing to […]
Eoghan Rua aim to challenge higher
By Michael McMullan EOGHAN Rua can compete with every team in Derry apart from Ulster champions Sleacht Néill insists Leo Passmore. The 2015 and 2019 Ulster junior champions caused a shock to overcome Lavey and secure a place in the intermediate semi-finals thanks to Passmore’s late goal in a 1-8 haul that also included their […]