Sport

On this Day in the Irish News: April 9 1999

Séamus Downey's absence was a blow for Derry ahead of their National League quarter-final against Cork in April 1999
Séamus Downey's absence was a blow for Derry ahead of their National League quarter-final against Cork in April 1999 Séamus Downey's absence was a blow for Derry ahead of their National League quarter-final against Cork in April 1999

NATIONAL FOOTBALL

By Brendan Crossan

LAST year’s beaten league finalists Derry make two enforced changes for their quarter-final game against Cork on Sunday at Croke Park with Seamus Downey and Dermot Dougan out through injury and suspension respectively.

Loup player Ronan Rocks steps into the breach for broken jaw victim Downey, while Geoffrey McGonigle comes in for the suspended Dougan on the ‘40’.

Derry PRO Gerry Donnelly said last night: “The two boys that will come into the starting line-up are able replacements. Both have a fair amount of experience at this level which will be important on Sunday.”

Fullback David O’Neill was passed fit last night after suffering from a recurring illness against Laois in the Oak Leaf county’s last league encounter. Significantly, Derry management duo Eamon Coleman and Adrian McGuckin will be heartened by the news of Henry Downey’s return to club action recently.

Downey appeared for Lavey last weekend at Ballymaguigan after being out with a serious groin injury. It is unclear whether the Oak Leaf stalwart will play any part in Derry’s league campaign – providing they progress – but should feature in the Championship game against Cavan.

HURLING

By Kenny Archer

DERRY hurlers have been subjecting their opponents to ‘G-Force’ this season but one Oak Leaf representative might need to undergo that experience himself this weekend.

Dual star Geoffrey McGonigle, who with Biggs brothers Gregory and Gary makes up the ‘three Gs’ of the Derry forward line, will aim to be flying high on and off the pitch. Not only will the Kevin Lynch’s man jet over to Ruislip tonight for tomorrow’s NHL clash with London but he will also fly back after that game to join up with his county footballing colleagues, who face Cork in the NFL quarter-finals at Croke Park on Sunday.

Geoffrey is already the holder of two National Football League medals and would like to complete the hattrick this season. His immediate aim, however, is to achieve senior success with the sliothar as well as the ball.

Hurling this campaign has been enjoyable, the county scene making up for club disappointment, as McGonigle reveals: “Like the rest of Kevin Lynch’s, I was disappointed when we were beaten in the Ulster club semi-final but that is all behind us now.

“There is a real buzz about Derry hurling at the minute. Most of the lads on the team have tasted Ulster success at minor and U21 level.

“We just need the senior to add to it though our first priority is promotion in the National League so we are taking one game at a time.”