Preview: Showdown in the city


All-Ireland SFC Round Two Derry v Armagh Sunday, Celtic Park, 4pm By Michael McMullan SIX weeks feels like a lifetime in Derry. From league champions, a narrative now points towards their back-to-back defeats. That’s why Sunday’s visit of Armagh is huge. Speaking after their defeat in Galway, manager Mickey Harte felt it was a must […]


Derry team named for Armagh visit


By Michael McMullan DERRY have made two changes to their team for Sunday’s visit of Armagh to Celtic Park (4pm). Injured duo Conor Doherty and Eoin McEvoy have been listed to start ahead of Declan Cassidy and the suspended Gareth McKinless from the defeat to Galway. Emmett Bradley retains his place with Cormac Murphy also […]


Derry are a top three team says McGeeney


By Shaun Casey DERRY are still among the main contenders for Sam Maguire says Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney, despite the Oakleaf County suffering back-to-back championship defeats to Donegal and Galway. Armagh make the journey to Celtic Park this weekend having recovered from their Ulster final defeat to Donegal as they bounced back with a five-point victory […]


STEVEN POACHER: Don’t pen the Oakleafers’ obituary


LAST weekend Derry lost their second game in a row under new manager Mickey Harte, a situation Mickey has found himself in many of times in his managerial career. Back in 2008, Mickey left Páirc Esler having been beaten by Down and the obituaries were being scribed all across the country. Roll on a few […]


JOE BROLLY: Jimmy’s bursting bubbles


THE night of the Ulster final, when they arrived home with the cup, Jimmy McGuinness stood in front of his players and addressed the huge crowd. “These next three games are massive for us. Really really big games. And we have got to put them front and centre. These players are a different animal now. […]


GERARD O’KANE: It’s crunch time


MY last column opened with the lines “what a difference four weeks makes!” This was in reference to Derry losing to Donegal after beating Dublin in an exhilarating game four weeks previous to that. Derry had gone from such a high to a low in the space of four weeks that it led to wall-to-wall coverage. There […]


KEVIN CASSIDY: Ballybofey game will tell a tale about Tyrone


AFTER a whirlwind Ulster Championship, we were straight back into action last weekend with the first round of the All-Ireland series and four games down for decision. Kerry ran out convincing winners against a disappointing Monaghan team who now find themselves with a real uphill battle to continue their progress in the competition. Vinny Corey […]


Preview: Derry head into the west


All-Ireland SFC Galway v Derry Saturday, Salthill, 5.30pm Live on GAA GO By Michael McMullan DERRY went from box office to off Broadway with two swings of Shaun Patton’s boot. It was a proper hero to zero afternoon when the league champions and the most consistent team in the land were smashed to smithereens. Advertisement […]


Two Derry changes for trip to Salthill


By Michael McMullan DERRY have made two changes for Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC trip to Connacht champions Galway. Paudi McGrogan’s campaign has been ended with a cruciate injury with his place has been taken by Gareth McKinless who came on against Donegal. The other change sees impact man Niall Toner coming in for a fourth start […]


JOE BROLLY: The children of Donegal


SON: Dad, why did you name my sister Jolene? Dad: Because your mother loved the song Jolene. Son: Thanks Dad. Dad: No problem, Jimmy’s Winning Matches. Advertisement On Sunday in Celtic Park, Gavin Devlin was spied on top of the stand on the gantry, carefully watching Donegal as they wore down Tyrone. “A week too […]