Final chance to move up the ladder in minor championship


By Michael McMullan SATURDAY brings the last round of games before the Ulster Minor Football Championship breaks into the knock-out stages. The top team in each section will advance to the semi-finals where they will be rewarded with home advantage. Teams in second and third will then play off in two quarter-finals. Down’s win over […]


Minor Team of the Year


All-Ireland minor champions Derry met Monaghan in both the Ulster and All-Ireland finals. It’s not surprising the counties dominate the Electric Ireland Minor football Team of the Year released this week 1. Jamie Mooney (Monaghan and Cremartin) FOUR penalty saves in the Ulster semi-final shootout against Tyrone caught the eye but those heroics were only […]


The boys of 2008


By Niall Gartland EVEN if some would say it’s been diluted in recent times, the GAA still has a strong community ethos and things have a tendency to come full circle. Take the Monaghan minor team of 2008. One of their key players that year was a young Dermot Malone, a promising soccer talent who […]


Rome wasn’t built in a day


By Niall Gartland MONAGHAN minors have reached their first All-Ireland final in 84 years and yes, it didn’t just happen by chance. It’s a relatively small county population wise (28th in the country in fact) but they have their house in order when it comes to gaelic football at all levels. Their flagship team – […]


New game, new challenge for Derry in minor decider


The Derry boss expecting Monaghan to offer a different proposition in a fourth meeting of the teams. By Michael McMullan AS Derry manager Damian McErlain journeyed towards Tullamore, he knew it was going to be a fourth showdown with Monaghan if his Derry side negotiated Dublin 24 hours later in their half of the semi-final […]


Malone praises the Farney Army ahead of All-Ireland showdown


SUNDAY’S All-Ireland Minor final is obviously of seismic significance for both teams, but for Dermot Malone’s Monaghan side it’s a very historic occasion indeed. It’s the second time in the county’s history that they’ve reached an All-Ireland Minor Championship final and the first in living memory (their only other appearance was a two-point defeat to […]


McErlain not surprised to see familiar face in decider


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 […]


Malone: Monaghan mindsets have to change


By Shaun Casey MONAGHAN are 60 minutes away from their first All-Ireland Minor final since 1939 and standing in their way are 16-time winners Kerry. While the Farney County don’t have much success in terms of All-Ireland glory, manager Dermot Malone believes his side are where they deserve to be. “I don’t want people thinking it’s […]