'Power vs principle central to Corrigan Park saga'
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Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Ronan Devlin sets sights on ending Erin's Own's wait for Ulster glory
The Cargin side's most recent significant achievement has been a hat-trick of Antrim titles but even this fails to satisfy the appetite of their players and fans. There has been a series of so near yet so far episodes in the Ulster Club Championship but the provincial silverware has proven to be elusive to date. Yet manager Devlin remains hopeful that the team may yet break new ground on the provincial front. The experience acquired by members of his side both at club and county levels is standing the team in good stead as they keep their sights fixed on even bigger targets. 'While it's great to win Antrim titles, we would like to have a real crack at the Ulster title," he said. 'Obviously when you move up in the provincial sphere, life can become more demanding and you have to be up for the challenge. 'We are taking nothing for granted in Antrim. Every time the county Championship comes round, it's there to be won and, while we never tire of winning, we would like to move up in the world a little but we know that this is not easy given the quality of teams you are likely to encounter.' Given their sustained period of success in Antrim, it's not surprising to discover that a solid core of experience underpins the Erin's Own side. Conhuir Johnston, Justin Crozier and Mick McCann are among the long-serving warriors who have played their hearts out for the club, while James Laverty and Eunan Quinn are others who have made an invaluable input to the team's progress over the years. John McNabb is a very competent goalkeeper, while Tomas McCann and Pat Shivers are clinical finishers who are capable of racking up impressive scoring returns and, with several players anxious to break through into the team, competition for starting places is said to be razor-sharp. There is no doubt that the Erin's Own stalwarts will be bidding to impress the new Antrim management that will be put in place and this will provide a further incentive for the players to lift their game. For the moment, though, Cargin's eyes are on St John's when they go head to head at Corrigan Park on Sunday (2.00pm).
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Veteran stars continue to prove that age is just a number
Managers may come and go but it would appear that the playing veterans are standing by their clubs and counties in the pursuit of success. When Donegal fell to Kerry in the recent All-Ireland Final, Michael Murphy (35), Patrick McBrearty (33) and Ryan McHugh (32) found themselves in the heat of the battle. With manager Jim McGuinness deploying his resources carefully from the substitutes' bench, it came as no surprise when Donegal got within four points of their opponents before Joe O'Connor put the issue well beyond doubt with his last-gasp goal. Similarly, Peter Harte (32), Mattie Donnelly (32) and Niall Morgan (34) underlined their vast experience in Tyrone's colours but could not manage to pave the way for an All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry. And Declan McCusker (32) led Fermanagh into the Tailteann Cup semi-finals, his captaincy influencing the side strongly with Cullen twins Che and Lee (33) underpinning the defence. There was no shortage of effort either from Armagh's solid core of senior citizens. Rory Grugan (33), Andrew Murnin (33), Aidan Forker (33) and Stefan Campbell (32) all put their shoulder to the wheel for the orchard county but to no avail in the end this year. Indeed, it was thought that Armagh might make it into the Final but Kerry had other ideas. Monaghan's Darren Hughes (38), Conor McManus (35) and Rory Beggan (33) have been torch-bearers for their county for upwards of 40 years in all and this underlines their outstanding service. While there has been speculation relating to players calling it a day, the fact that so many are still in action for their counties cements their loyalty and their determination to achieve success. Indeed it's because teams such as Armagh, Derry, Monaghan and Down have flirted with success lately that helps to keep them going. Armagh made the big breakthrough again in 2024 after their 2002 triumph, while Derry came close in 2022 when they lost to Galway at the semi-finmal stage. Monaghan had looked capable of mounting a challenge until they were overtaken by retirements and injuries, while Down had to be content with winning the Tailteann Cup last year — a success that sparked relief rather than ecstasy in a county that has known hard times of late. Right now, managers throughout Ulster are running the rule over players as the club championships move into full swing and, going forward, it will be more than interesting to note how many players can render the noble service their counterparts are giving of now in their bid to put their clubs and counties well and truly on the sporting map when all is said and done. Meanwhile, Armagh city club Pearse Og have taken a bold step in appointing Paul Doyle and Ger Houlahan as their management team as they being their county senior football Championship season. An indifferent All-County League campaign forced the club's committee to undertake an in-depth analysis of the overall situation and now Paul Doyle, who is principal of Armagh CBS, and Houlahan, who rendered outstanding service to the club as a player, will take up the reins. It is understood that a concerted drive is being launched with a view to enhancing the club's status going forward so that the huge volume of under-age talent will be afforded the opportunity to hone their skills. Indeed, it's the progress that is being made within the under-age sector that has prompted club officials to take the big step forward and streamline their management set-up. Pearse Og have a huge Championship showdown with Mullaghbawn on Sunday (6.30pm) and an all-out drive is being made to attract supporters to get behind the side for the big occasion.
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Doran in the running for Antrim football role
Slaughtneil boss Mark Doran has emerged a candidate for the Antrim senior football manager's Saffrons have yet to appoint a successor to Andy McEntee, whose three-year term ended following the Tailteann Cup defeat against Wexford in June, with an invitation for applications sent out in native Doran was linked to the Derry job last year following the departure of Mickey Harte but instead took up a coaching role with Roscommon under manager Davy Burke, who has since previously held a coaching role with his native Down between 2019 and 2021, whilst helping guide Ballybay to the 2022 Monaghan title as co-manager. He has also held coaching roles in Clare and Wicklow before the switch to the Rossies in 2025. He stepped down as Slaughtneil manager following their Derry SFC semi-final defeat to Glen last year but was reappointed in for the Antrim job are due to take place on Monday evening with Louth's Colin Kelly also in the managed his home county to successive promotions from Division Four and Division Three in 2016 and 2017 before spells with Westmeath, Wicklow and most recently, Cavan club side Kingscourt in the frame is former St Brigid's manager Anthony McGrath, who was a coach under Stephen Poacher in Leitrim this year, while Barry Dillon, who led Ulster University to the 2024 Sigerson Cup, has also been Bradley had been linked to the role, but last week it emerged he had withdrawn from the race.
