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 […]
GERARD O’KANE: Derry let panic set in
April 25, 2024
WHAT a difference four weeks makes. My last column was published the Sunday before the National League finals where Derry had blazed a trail through Dublin and were roundly commended from all quarters for going at Dessie Farrell’s side. In the game beforehand, Donegal and Armagh had played out what was an exciting game in its […]
KEVIN CASSIDY: This is the one
April 18, 2024
THERE has been a lot of giving out about the lack of championship feel to the games up until now. This will all disappear on Saturday evening when close neighbours Donegal and Derry lock horns. Whatever the result on Saturday, one thing is for sure it will look and feel like a proper championship game. […]
Lynch set for Oakleaf return
January 12, 2024
By Michael McMullan GOALKEEPER Odhrán Lynch has been named for Derry’s Dr McKenna Cup semi-final with Armagh (BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 4pm) on Saturday. The Magherafelt man limped out during their county final defeat at the hands of Glen with a hamstring injury. After Jack Cassidy and Ryan Scullion playing in previous games, Lynch’s return – […]
PATRICK MORRISON: Don’t pay the penalty
May 20, 2023
By Patrick Morrison WITH the shortened seasons now in full effect, the GAA have implemented rules to ensure that championship games finish on the same day (except finals). They have instructed teams that if they are level after full time, then extra time will be played to find a winner. This is no new concept in […]
Ulster Championship Team of the Year: Oaks stand tall again
May 19, 2023
Derry’s win over Armagh brought the curtain down on another Ulster Senior Football Championship. Michael McMullan cast his eyes over the key players in his Team of the Year selection. 1 – Odhrán Lynch (Derry) LITTLE to choose between him and Ethan Rafferty but saving three penalties in a shoot-out is something Lynch, Derry folk or […]
All-Ireland trail now in Derry’s sights says Rogers
May 18, 2023
By Michael McMullan BIDDING for the county’s All-Ireland title will definitely be long-term thoughts when Derry return to training insists Ulster final goalscorer Brendan Rogers. Winning the McKenna Cup was the first target. Tick. Next, it was righting the wrongs of their 2022 promotion failure. Tick. Then it moved on to retaining their Ulster title. Tick. “Tuesday […]
Rogers hails shootout hero Lynch after Clones drama
May 16, 2023
By Michael McMullan DERRY’S Ulster final goalscorer Brendan Rogers was full of praise for penalty shoot out hero Odhrán Lynch after Sunday’s pulsating Ulster final. The Oakleafers made history after retaining the Anglo Celt Cup for the first time since 1976 with Lynch making three top drawer saves. Rogers offered a polite chuckle when asked […]
Patrick Morrison – Raise your standards
March 28, 2023
By Patrick Morrison TO reach the top and become the best takes a massive amount of time and effort to perfect your goalkeeping. You will spend hours and hours refining your skills with the aim of improving your performances between the posts. Ultimately, it is important to understand that perfection is unattainable because each time […]
Steven Poacher: Derry – Ireland’s best coached team
March 7, 2023
WE are four games into the National Football League and only three teams have a 100 per cent record in all four divisions, Derry, Dublin and Cavan. After this weekend it can only be two as Derry and the Dubs meet in Celtic Park on Saturday in what promises to be a cracking game. Other […]