Full steam ahead for McKinless


By Niall Gartland LET’S not get too arty-farty but Gareth McKinless’ presence on the field of play in Ballinderry’s Ulster Intermediate semi-final win over Derrylaughan had a touch of Schrödinger’s Cat about it. The Oakleaf star was sent off in the Derry final replay against Faughanvale for two yellows but alleged verbals meant the 2023 All-Star […]


Gaelic Lives Ulster Intermediate Final Preview


Michael McMullen and Damien Donohoe look ahead to the Ulster Intermediate Final between Arva and Ballinderry. Arva are hoping to secure back-to-back Ulster crowns after their Junior success last season, which ended with an All-Ireland title in Croke Park. Ballinderry on the other hand, who won the Senior All-Ireland 20 years ago, are intent on […]


Jack Cassidy hails the Sleacht Néill grit after another climb to Ulster’s summit


By Michael McMullan JACK Cassidy offered three words as how Sleacht Néill dug themselves from Portaferry’s pocket to the sheer joy of the club’s fifth Ulster hurling title. Eight points down, they needed goals from Sé McGuigan and Shéa Cassidy to pull themselves back from the jaws of defeat. Towering midfielder Cassidy digs deeper. Still […]


McDaid wary of unknown Father Murphy’s challenge


By Shaun Casey BALLINASCREEN boss Cathal McDaid admits he knows “very little” about his side’s London opponents in Saturday’s Ulster Hurling Junior Club Championship Twinning final against Father Murphy’s. McDaid hurled in London a bit himself during his playing days and is well aware of the mindset the players across the way will bring with […]


Ó Cairealláin joins Paddy Tally’s backroom team in Derry


By Michael McMullan DERRY manager Paddy Tally has added Strength and Conditioning coach Cairbre Ó Cairealláin to his backroom team. A former Antrim hurler, he was part of both Tipperary and Limerick hurlers’ All-Ireland winning formula. Ó Cairealláin, from St Paul’s on Belfast’s Shaws Road, also had a spell at Arsenal where he looked after the academy […]


Another step for the Ballinderry


By Michael McMullan THERE is an excitement in Ryan O’Neill’s voice but the words are well chosen. It’s not long before you realise why he is the Ballinderry vice-captain. A level head. Just a year or two too young for the Shamrocks’ glory days, his first season in the squad was their 2014 senior final defeat. […]


Derrylaughan know what’s coming down the tracks


By Michael McMullan DERRYLAUGHAN manager Kevin Niblock is aware of two key points ahead of Sunday’s Ulster semi-final showdown with Ballinderry. The former St Gall’s and Antrim star knows the Shamrocks possess quality. Secondly, he is content his Derrylaughan side’s underbelly is a tough one. The Kevin Barrys clawed back from seven points down against […]


Greenlough are in ‘uncharted territory’ ahead of Bridie McMenamin showdown


By Niall Gartland THE longest established camogie club in Derry, Greenlough, will contest this Saturday’s Bridie McMenamin final against Éire Óg, Carrickmore. They’ve been managed this last few years by a native of Dungannon, Stephen Taggart, who just so happened to work under Carrickmore’s manager Declan Sherlock in his previous guise as Tyrone camogie manager. The […]


KEVIN CASSIDY: The retirement of two great servants


IT’S been some two weeks for inter-county retirements with the news breaking this week that Derry’s Chrissy McKaigue and Dublin’s Brian Fenton were calling it a day. Let’s start with McKaigue and what a servant he has been to club and county over the last number of years. He has witnessed some dark days in […]


Derry GAA pay glowing tribute as McKaigue signs off


NEWLY retired Chrissy McKaigue leaves a ‘legacy etched in determination, leadership and excellence’ according to a tribute released from Derry GAA. McKaigue has taken the decision to sign off on his intercounty career, 16 years after making his senior debut in a championship clash against Monaghan in 2008. Now 35, McKaigue made 149 senior appearances […]