By Michael McMullan EVERY young player wants to play in Croke Park and Fionn McEldowney is no different, but the Derry minor skipper feels it’s the right decision to take the All-Ireland minor final to Armagh. Sunday’s game (BOX-IT Athletic Grounds 1pm) will be the Oaks’ fourth meeting with Monaghan this year and McEldowney knows […]
McErlain not surprised to see familiar face in decider
June 29, 2023
By Michael McMullan DERRY have one more step to make in pursuit of the county’s sixth All-Ireland minor title and it’s a familiar one. Sunday weeks’ all-Ulster showdown (BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 1pm) is Derry’s fourth meeting of the season with Monaghan. Oakleafers’ manager Damian McErlain expected a “quality” Farney side to get the job done […]
Derry prepare for significant challenge
June 24, 2023
By Michael McMullan DERRY minor manager Damian McErlain is full of praise for his side’s development and maturity but ranks unbeaten Dublin a “significant challenge” in Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final (BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 5.30pm). “The boys are in good form and looking forward to the challenge that is ahead,” McErlain said of the mood in the […]
Derry make one change ahead of All-Ireland clash
June 9, 2023
By Michael McMullan DERRY have made one change ahead of Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter-final against reigning champions Galway in Carrick-on-Shannon (3.30pm). Cahal McKaigue has been rewarded for his telling contribution to their Ulster final win over Monaghan. He makes his return after his comeback from injury with John Boyle the unlucky player to miss out in […]
Oakleafers’ big task in the west
June 9, 2023
By Michael McMullan DAMIAN McErlain said Saturday’s All-Ireland minor quarter-final is a “big task” for his Derry side against a Galway team with five of last year’s winning team on board. Saturday’s game (Carrick on Shannon, 3.30pm) is a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland semi-final where Derry lost by a point despite a spirited comeback. McErlain, […]
McEldowney comes to terms with frantic finale
May 29, 2023
By Michael McMullan DERRY minor captain Fionn McEldowney said Sunday was the most dramatic game he was involved in after coming through to win the county’s 16th Ulster title in dramatic circumstances. It took two penalty saves from Jack McCloy before Conall Higgins nailed Derry’s winning kick in the shoot-out at the end of the […]
Donegal test was vital for Oaks ahead of final
May 28, 2023
By Michael McMullan DERRY’S semi-final battle with Donegal was exactly what his side needed ahead of Sunday’s showdown (Armagh 6pm) with Monaghan, insists Oakleaf minor boss Damian McErlain. The Oakleafers are in their seventh minor decider in nine seasons since McErlain’s class of 2015 – with Shane McGuigan, Conor Glass and Shea Downey on board […]
Malone hoping Monaghan make it third time lucky
May 28, 2023
By Shaun Casey MONAGHAN take on Derry in Sunday’s Ulster Minor Championship final and the sides will cross swords for the third time this season, with the Farney men hoping to pick up their first win over Damian McErlain’s team. In the league, the Oak Leaf County notched a two-point victory before seeing off Monaghan […]
McErlain: Seniors showing the way for Derry youngsters
May 19, 2023
By Shaun Casey SUCCESS breeds success and Derry minor manager Damian McErlain believes the achievement of back-to-back Ulster titles from the senior side can positively drip down to the Oak Leaf youngsters. McErlain’s side meet Donegal in Saturday’s Ulster Minor semi-final, with the chance of getting back to the showpiece for the third time in […]
McErlain glad to be back in charge of Derry minors
April 13, 2023
My Kieran Lynch DAMIAN McErlain will be hoping that his second stint as Derry minor manager goes as well as his first, as the Oak Leaf County get their championship campaign underway this week. In McErlain’s first spell, between 2015 and 2017, Derry won two Ulster titles and reached the All-Ireland, losing out to a David […]