By Michael McMullan REIGNING champions Sleacht Néill begin their bid for a 12th successive Derry senior hurling at home to Ballinascreen on Sunday. Should the four-time Ulster champions keep their hands on the Fr Collins Cup, they’ll go joint second with Lavey in the roll of honour with 18 titles. While they are a familiar […]
Roger that: Bríd Rogers is the new ace in the Derry pack
By Daragh Ó Conchúir CHAMPIONSHIP day can be a tricky one in any household, given the various mental and physical routines and preparation, the planning and the anticipation, the frayed nerves. Imagine then, what it has been like in the Rogers and Donnelly residences this week and this morning, where wives and husbands each have […]
Derry set for final step
Céat McEldowney rejoined the Derry camogie squad at the start of the season and has been an important part of their plans. Michael McMullan spoke to her ahead of Sunday’s National League final IN the days after losing to Loughgiel in last year’s Ulster semi-final, a message flashed up on Céat McEldowney’s phone that opened […]
PREVIEW: 2023 CAMOGIE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Ulster Camogie is coming down with exceptionally talented players, so it’s no easy ask to find and anoint a Camogie Player of the Year award in association with Ulster Camogie. This time last year it was Loughgiel Shamrocks sensation Róisín McCormick who was named as the winner, and she was a fitting recipient after a […]
2023 PREVIEW HURLER OF THE YEAR AWARD
It goes without saying that hurling is an incredibly difficult sport to master, and whoever is awarded our big individual prize of Hurler of the Year in association with Ulster GAA, will be thoroughly deserving of the plaudits. Last year’s winner was Dunloy’s Ryan Elliott, the first ever time a goalkeeper has got his hands […]
McShane steps down from Emmet Park hotseat
By Michael McMullan DERRY hurling champions Sleacht Néill are looking for a new manager following news that Michael McShane has stepped down after nine years in charge. The Ballycastle native led the Emmet’s to nine Derry titles during his tenure and four Ulster hurling titles. He took over in 2015 and lost out to Cushendall […]
McCambridge hails Cushendall management’s varied approach
By Michael McMullan BRIAN Delargy and his management deserve the credit for Cushendall’s progression over the last three seasons, insists Ryan McCambridge. Victory in Sunday’s Ulster final saw the ‘Dall take home the Four Seasons Cup for the first time since 2018. The intervening years have been dominated by Dunloy and there were “bad years” when […]
Brendan Rogers – Best of both worlds
Brendan Rogers is fully tuned into Sleacht Néill’s upcoming Ulster Senior Championship hurling final and he explains how being a dual-star has plenty of plus points, writes Shaun Casey IN a few days’ time, Brendan Rogers could well be named as the 2023 Footballer of the Year for his performances in the red and white […]
Mindset sets Sleacht Néill apart: McShane
By Michael McMullan MICHAEL McShane insists that Sleacht Néill’s mindset has been the driving force of keeping them at the top of Derry hurling for over a decade. Of their eleven successive titles, McShane has been at the helm for nine with previous winning manager Padraig Dougan added to the management team this season. They’ve […]
McShane happy with McKaigue in his new attacking role
By Michael McMullan SLEACHT Néill hurling boss Michael McShane’s thinking outside the box has given former defender Karl McKaigue a new lease of life in an attacking role. The Emmet’s take on Kevin Lynch’s on Sunday (Owenbeg 4pm) as they bid for an 11th senior title in a fifth consecutive final meeting of the big […]