From his days watching football, Michael McMullan selects a team of players that would excel under the new rules with a limit of one player per county and with every Ulster team represented… 1 Michael Byrne (Antrim) I HAVE watched Antrim a few times and Byrne has impressed. An excellent shot stopper, safe with the […]
McAteer hails clubs forming the St Pat’s Maghera community
By Michael McMullan THERE was one Donegal man content with Sunday’s MacRory final result – St Patrick’s, Maghera joint-manager Willie McAteer. A talented Abbey side were the county’s first team in the final since 1961 but McAteer, born and bred in Fanad, is very much part of the furniture in Derry. Youth officer in Castledawson, he […]
Lockhart hails the Maghera spirit after MacRory success
By Michael McMullan SEAN Marty Lockhart hailed the St Patrick’s Maghera grit and spirit after Sunday’s MacRory Cup victory. Including their shared title with St Colman’s in 2020, it was the 17th success and Joint Manager Lockhart – their winning captain 30 years ago – couldn’t find the words to describe the feeling. “Maghera just […]
Sean Marty: Hard work has been key for Maghera
By Niall Gartland FORM an image of Sean Marty Lockhart in your mind’s eye and there’s a fair old chance he’ll be wearing a Derry jersey. One of the best defenders of his or any generation, Sean Marty served Derry with distinction for 15 full years at senior inter-county level, but he also has a […]
Defending will always be about the fundamentals says Enda McNulty
By Michael McMullan FORMER Armagh defensive star Enda McNulty feels there must always be a focus on the “fundamental” area of defending before any consideration of the incoming rule changes. Speaking on this week’s Gaelic Lives podcast, to look back at Queen’s 2000 Sigerson success, the 2002 All-Ireland winner speaks in depth about his university […]
Sean Marty Lockhart – making a case for the defence
Sean Marty Lockhart is one of the greatest defenders of all time, an All-Star and Ireland’s most capped International Rules player. Michael McMullan went to meet him to pick his brains on the art of defending WHEN you spend 22 hours away from collective team training in preparation for marking Peter Canavan, you tick the […]
Sean Marty Lockhart – Derry’s Mr Perfection
Sean Marty Lockhart was one of the greatest defenders in the game and holds the record number of International Rules’ appearances. Michael McMullan went to meet him… NOBODY else has played 16 times for Ireland in the International Rules. Not everybody picks up an All-Star, Ulster and League medals in a 15-year inter-county career. Not […]
Defensive nous was a key to Dublin success says Derry ace
By Michael McMullan FORMER Derry star Sean Marty Lockhart feels one of the reasons Dublin were at the forefront of Gaelic football was the quality of their defenders. In a feature interview this week, the All-Star full-back – who played a record 16 times for Ireland – looks back on his preparations going into the […]
IN FOCUS: Under the skin – Eoin Bradley
Eoin Bradley’s career has went around a few corners, but his love for sport has never waned. Michael McMullan went to meet him… IT’S Friday morning in Glenullin and Eoin Bradley is buzzing. Football has dominated his life and nothing has changed. Noel Trainor, the club’s 1985 championship winning goalkeeper, greets him on arrival. Sunday […]
IN FOCUS: Kevin McCloy – Derry’s defensive rock
Not every county star burns brightest early in their career, but Derry’s Kevin McCloy took a late march to greatness. Michael McMullan went to meet him… IF you are looking for a definition of a late developer, you’d do well to find a better example than Kevin McCloy. Along with close friend Paddy Bradley, they […]