Saffrons take a step towards Ulster derby


By Michael McMullan PROMOTION is in the back of Patrick McBride’s mind. Not at the front, but it’s in there somewhere. He’ll not focus on it now. Before Sunday’s win over Clare, the Banner County was front and centre in the Saffrons’ thoughts. Now it’s Fermanagh. Paddy McBride needed to be told they play Offaly third. […]


Paddy Tally: On the other side


By Michael McMullan PADDY Tally and Jack O’Connor could’ve been walking out of the same door at Celtic Park on Sunday. The Derry boss coached the Kingdom when they felled the Oaks in the last two championships. Tally could only look on as Cormac Murphy sped through to win a late free Shane McGuigan notched […]


Cavan unchanged for Meath clash


By Michael McMullan CAVAN manager Raymond Galligan has put his faith in the same team for Sunday’s game with Meath (Páirc Tailteann). The Breffni blues lost last week to Monaghan with the Royals also looking for a first win after going under to Cork in Round One. Galligan is still without Gearóid McKiernan who has […]


Early Kingdom mission for Donegal


By Michael McMullan ULSTER champions Donegal kick their new season into gear on Sunday with a trip to Kerry. It’s the second season of the second stint for manager Jim McGuinness and there are solid foundations to build on. More than solid. They will look with regret at how close they came to making last […]


Monaghan begin life after McManus


By Shaun Casey DERBY days like Saturday’s showdown are always circled in the calendar and given how last year’s championship encounter panned out, motivation certainly won’t be in short supply inside the Monaghan changing room as they prepare to face Cavan. Having just suffered relegation from the top tier, the Breffni County added to Monaghan’s […]


NFL feature: The roll of honour


Shaun Casey charts those who have led the way in National Football League Division One titles Kerry (23) LIKE the All-Ireland roll of honour, Kerry also has the most National League titles. The Kingdom have also lost seven league deciders and haven’t claimed the crown since 2022. Then, they lost just once throughout the entire […]


Galway and Armagh teams named for All-Ireland rematch


By Michael McMullan KIERAN McGeeney and Pádraic Joyce have named their teams for Saturday’s NFL opener in Salhtill. Armagh have 10 of the team who started against the Tribesmen in last summer’s All-Ireland final. Joe McElroy, Rian O’Neill, Aaron McKay and Paddy Burns aren’t in the squad while Conor Turbitt is listed on the bench. […]


Preview: Saffrons must search for consistency


By Michael McMullan THE last time Antrim were in Division Two was 2011 when their only victory wasn’t enough to keep the Saffrons from beating drop. Nine Paddy Cunningham points helped them to victory against Meath, who were under the watch of Seamus McEnaney. Fast-forward to now and it’s another former Royal manager, Andy McEntee, […]


Tally excited for league after busy two months at the Derry helm


By Michael McMullan IT has been a busy two months for new Derry manager Paddy Tally but he’s looking forward to the league kicking into action this weekend. The addition of strength and conditioning coach Cairbre Ó Cairealláin was an important addition to the management team. Former Derry ‘keeper Johnny Kelly has also come on […]