McGuckin hoping extra quality makes the difference


BY KIERAN LYNCH THE Derry Football Championships get underway this weekend, and O’Donovan Rossa will be hoping that they can be amongst the contenders at senior grade. The Magherafelt men won the crown in 2019 and were beaten finalists in 2020, but with Glen and Slaughtneil the major players over the last few years, that […]


Higgins basks in glory of Derry’s end goal


By Michael McMullan DERRY attacking ace Conall Higgins said a combination of factors made him feel an All-Ireland Minor title was something the squad could accomplish. Higgins was one of five players from last year’s team who were narrowly beaten at the semi-final stage by eventual champions Galway. After missing this year’s semi-final win over […]


PREVIEWS: Derry Senior Championship reaches quarter-final stage


AFTER the shadow boxing and the largely predictable early rounds, the Derry championship scene starts for real this weekend. DERRY SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINALS LAVEY V BALLINDERRY Saturday, Owenbeg, 5pm Advertisement LAVEY emerged from a feisty clash when the sides met last year. Gareth McKinless was sent off against Coleraine, but has his red […]


Football action returns on the Derry club scene


AFTER two weeks of hurling action, the final group games in the Derry Senior and Intermediate Football Championships take place this weekend. There will also be a round of qualifier in the Junior Championship. SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP A KILREA V BELLAGHY Sunday, Pearse Park, 2.30pm Damian Cassidy is back in charge of his native […]


The championship Kings of Derry


THE Derry Senior Football Championship kicks into action for another season and Niall Gartland look at the top teams on the roll of honour… Bellaghy – 21 titles EVEN though they haven’t won the Derry Championship since 2005, Bellaghy sit comfortably at the top of the tree with 21 titles to their name. They’ve also […]


Barry Gillis – Answering the call


Barry Gillis’ position sense was evident in his early years when he played on the same team as future soccer star Aaron Hughes. Then, former Derry manager Mickey Moran spotted how Gillis could add to his defensive plans and made a phone call that would change his career. Michael McMullan writes… IT COULD’VE ended up […]


Magherafelt secure management for the new season


By Michael McMullan MAGHERAFELT have a new senior football management team in place for the 2022 season, Gaelic Life can confirm. Damian Barton and Brian McGuckin have been appointed as a joint ticket to succeed Adrian Cush, who stepped down after four seasons in the post. The duo were teaching colleagues in St Patrick’s Dungannon […]