AFTER Donegal walloped Tyrone on Saturday night in Ballybofey, I got my traditional after match Whatsapp from the great Donegal forward Tony Boyle. After every Donegal game, he sends me a picture of a pint of Guinness settling in front of him, in bars from Clones to Derry and Dungloe. The message underneath is always […]
Derry unlikely to drastically alter approach says McEvoy
May 2, 2024
By Shaun Casey DERRY defender Eoin McEvoy insists Mickey Harte’s team won’t dramatically change their approach to Odhran Lynch’s sweeper keeper role despite being caught out three times against Donegal last month. Jim McGuinness’ side took full advantage of Lynch when he pressed up on Shaun Patton’s kickouts, with Daire O’Baoill (twice) and Jamie Brennan both […]
Harte hails the input of Gavin Devlin
January 8, 2024
By Michael McMullan MICKEY Harte feels Gavin Devlin is best coach in Ireland and Derry players have been taking in all he has to offer. The former Tyrone and Louth management duo stepped into the Derry vacancy before the 2024 season. Wins over Cavan and Down will guarantee Derry a McKenna Cup semi-final this weekend. […]
Rogers “excited” by Harte appointment
October 24, 2023
By Shaun Casey DERRY star Brendan Rogers admits he was “surprised” but “excited” by the introduction of three-time All-Ireland manager Mickey Harte as the new Oak Leaf boss. Harte guided his native county Tyrone to the Sam Maguire in 2003, 2005 and 2008 and spent the last two seasons in Louth where he gained back-to-back […]
GERARD O’KANE: Devlin’s presence is huge for Derry
October 6, 2023
By Gerard O’Kane IF only I had known then what I know now. That’s a saying widely used in many parts of life but in my last column where I talked of the changing landscape in Ulster for the forthcoming season, I was talking about the new appointments in Cavan and Donegal. Never in my […]
Mickey Harte makes additions to his management team in Derry
October 3, 2023
By Michael McMullan DERRY GAA have appointed Matthew Godfrey as their new Lead Athletic Development Coach as senior football manager Mickey Harte makes additions to his management team. It comes two weeks after Harte was ratified on a three-year term with Gavin Devlin on board, who had been with him in both Louth and Tyrone. […]
Two league points vital for Ardboe manager Devlin after derby win
July 13, 2023
By Michael McMullan ARDBOE manager Gavin Devlin’s eyes still danced with delight long after the final whistle of Saturday’s win over neighbours Moortown but he stressed it was only two league points. Greencastle’s win over Coalisland on Friday night left this derby clash even more crucial in the “cutthroat” nature of a competitive league season. […]
IN FOCUS: Mickey Harte’s reputation continues to grow
May 8, 2023
By Shaun Casey MICKEY Harte is always one step ahead. Always planning, always prepping, always thinking outside the box. In last Sunday’s Leinster semi-final win over Offaly, sending Louth through to their first decider since 2010, Harte threw a curveball into the starting team. Just over two weeks ago, Dylan McKeown wasn’t even training with […]
Tyrone just need a few tweaks says Devlin
February 24, 2023
By Barry O’Donnell FIRST the good news… to say Tyrone’s track record in Castlebar is very good would be something of an understatement. In fact you have to go all the way back to Art MacRory and Eugene McKenna’s first match in charge as a joint management team in 1992 for the last occasion that […]
A ‘Wee’ trip for unbeaten Derry
February 4, 2023
By Michael McMullan DERRY take their 2023 five-game unbeaten run to Ardee on Sunday (2pm) aiming for a second league win when they take on Mickey Harte’s Louth. The Wee County were stung by a late, late Jamie Malone winner in Ennis last weekend after leading by Ciaran Downey’s goal as the game headed down […]