Sport

The Irish News Archive - June 25 1998: David O’Neill drafted into Derry defence for Armagh clash

Bellaghy’s David O’Neill (left) has been drafted into the Derry defence for Sunday’s Ulster football semi-final against Armagh
Bellaghy’s David O’Neill (left) has been drafted into the Derry defence for Sunday’s Ulster football semi-final against Armagh Bellaghy’s David O’Neill (left) has been drafted into the Derry defence for Sunday’s Ulster football semi-final against Armagh

BELLAGHY’S David O’Neill will make his first start of the year for Derry in Sunday’s Ulster football championship semi-final with Armagh at Clones.

The recall marks a considerable personal triumph for the 21-year-old who has been plagued with a series of injuries since playing an influential role in last year’s campaign at fullback.

O’Neill takes the place of right half-back Johnny McGurk who was injured in training over the weekend.

However Joe Cassidy’s participation in the semi-final was still in doubt late last night with the left corner-forward position being left vacant on the Oak Leaf side.

The talented Bellaghy forward was still awaiting the outcome of a county board meeting in Owenbeg last night, which was to decide whether he receives a two weeks or one month ban after being sent off for striking in a club championship replay victory over Slaughtneil. Otherwise, manager Brian Mullins has stuck with the same side which defeated Monaghan at Celtic Park last month. There is to be no dream return for Glen veteran Enda Gormley, who scored a superb point after coming on as a substitute for the concussed Seamus Downey in the first round victory.

However, should Cassidy get a month’s ban, Gormley would be the number one contender for the No 15 jersey. Despite pushing hard at training.

Derry: E McCloskey, K McKeever, SM Lockhart, P Diamond, D O’Neill, H Downey, P McFlynn, A Tohill, D Heaney, G Magill, D Dougan, E Burns, J Brolly, S Downey, AN Other.

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IRELAND’S senior boxers secured two bronze medals at the prestigious Liverpool multi-nations tournament yesterday – but it didn’t placate an angry Pat McCrory.

Waterford welter Neil Gough and Dublin lightweight Aodh Carlyle are through to tonight’s semi-final stages and assured of bronze at least after victories over Kenyan and English opposition.

But Ulster council president McCrory last night rowed in behind irate Ulster clubs and blasted Ireland’s selectors for “not sending a full team to this event.”

“The fare across from Ireland is only £57 and after that everything is paid for by the organisers. Why the heck we haven’t a full squad here just doesn’t make sense. It’s absolutely crazy,” said Belfast man McCrory.

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PIERCE O’Callaghan, Michael Casey and Jamie Costin have been selected to represent Ireland at the Dutch National 20K Walking Championships in Gronigen on July 11.

Meanwhile, Turf Lodge girl Teresa Duffy will lead the entry at Tyrone club Greencastle’s four mile road race on July 4.

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A TROUPE of 300 Yves Saint Laurent models will parade at the Stade de France before the World Cup Final on July 12 in a multi-coloured link-up between fashion and sport.

The models, who will have 70 hairdressers and 70 make-up artists attending them, will wear a whole variety of collections as they celebrate 40 years of the fashion house.

But although a protective canvas layer will cover the pitch, one accessory will be banned – high heels.

“They’ll all be wearing flat-soled shoes, because we didn’t want anyone awarding a penalty against us for spoiling the pitch,” quipped YSL president Philippe Berger.