HERE are some the stories from this week in 2016, 2006 and 1996 10 YEARS AGO It was a busy weekend on the Ulster Club front. Kilcoo clinched a six-point victory over Donegal representatives Glenswilly to book their spot in the semi-finals. Advertisement Tyrone champions Killyclogher, who oversaw Coalisland after a replay, weren’t at their […]
10 years ago THERE were a number of senior hurling finals down for decision a decade ago this week. Sleacht Néill were comfortable victors over Banagher in the Derry showdown while Ballygalget sank Portaferry in Down. In Donegal, meanwhile, MacCumhaill’s dethroned Burt. It was the semi-final juncture in Antrim with a composed Loughgiel pulling away […]
Shaun Casey looks at the hurling teams putting their titles on the line in the club championships Antrim: St John’s THE Johnnies got their hands on the Volunteer Cup for the first time since 1973 last season, with former player Gerard Cunningham leading his club to glory. They edged out Loughgiel in the final, with […]
THERE is magic in victory but there is just something about a pipe band at a homecoming that makes it all very official. I had goosebumps as I watched Mid West Radio’s footage of Sam Maguire being carried across the bridge and into Achill Island this week. The sound of pipes. The beating of drums in unison. […]
By Michael McMullan SLEACHT Néill are set to appoint Austin O’Malley as their new senior football manager, Gaelic Life understands. The former Mayo and Wicklow player steered Cuala to their first ever Dublin senior title in 2024 before adding Leinster and All-Ireland glory. O’Malley stepped down after three seasons that culminated their capture of club […]
By Michael McMullan THE message coming from the Sleacht Néill camp is crystal clear ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final showdown with Loughrea. Winning a game at national level is all that matters. Pats on the back for creditable performances hold no value. None whatsoever. A sixth Ulster title was brilliant and cemented the […]
By Michael McMullan SLEACHT Néill had just nine Derry titles to their name when Conor McAllister lined out against Lavey for his senior debut in 2016. Fast-forward to Saturday night’s triumph against St John’s in Armagh and he added a sixth Ulster medal to his 10 county titles. He acknowledges the perfect timing of a breakthrough. […]
By Michael McMullan IT’S been a very different year for the hurlers of St John’s. Winning the Volunteer Cup for the first time is the crux of the story leading to Saturday’s Ulster Senior Championship final against Sleacht Néill. Below that, they’ve developed that important habit of winning important games when their hand of cards was plonked […]
By Michael McMullan NOTHING is impossible until it’s done. It’s a simple observation but it sums up Mark McGuigan’s take on Sleacht Néill’s growth as they prepare for an 11th Ulster final on Saturday evening. The Emmet’s captain was in primary school when the club first inhaled the Ulster final experience. It was 2000. Sleacht […]
By Shaun Casey PORTAFERRY have been so close and yet so far in recent years. Gerard McGrattan’s side are the team to beat in Down but it’s on the provincial path where they have failed to leave their mark in the last few years, although they are aiming to change that according to captain Matthew […]
