INJURIES to key players and the unavailability of half a dozen Bellaghy players conspired to condemn Derry’s new management team to a 1-10 to 1-4 defeat in Mayo.
Sean Martin Lockhart, Eamonn Burns, Enda Muldoon and Henry Downey could all struggle to be fit for the home match with Kildare on Sunday week, although Joe Brolly could return having ruled himself out of contention for the opening game.
Down will probably be without Paul Higgins for their next game with Clare.
The defender hurt his back in the dismal nine point thrashing in Kildare but with Pete McGrath having used his allocation of substitutes, the Ballymartin man had to limp through the last 10 minutes.
Tyrone manager Danny Ball had no complaints about his side’s hefty defeat to the rejuvenated Dubs at Parnell Park.
Peter Canavan and Brian Dooher’s failure to shake off their respective injuries in time didn’t help, but Ball expects both to be fit for the next game against Offaly at Pomeroy. Seamus McCallan, Fergal Coyle and Mattie McGleenan will also return from suspension.
ooooooooooooOOOOOoooooooooooo
CLEVER county Down light fly Owen Gribben got Ireland’s young boxers off on the right foot against Wales in Cardiff with a comprehensive points victory in the opening bout of this youth international clash.
The highly-talented Hall’s Mill, Laurencetown teenager “never looked in any bother” against his Welsh opponent Sean Gridland said Irish manager Sean Coyle (Geesala).
Ballymoney lad Paul Traynor and Cavan’s Andy Murray made it a hat-trick of great wins by Ulster boxers as the visiting Irish side ran away 8-2 winners.
Featherweight Daniel Quinn (Glasnevin), lightweight Robert Collins, bantam Francis Maughan (CIE), welter Henry Coyle (Geesala) and middleweight Ken Egan (Neilstown) copper-fastened the Irish success story.
On the light side of the judges sheets were welter Darren Lo and bantam Kevin Butler.
ooooooooooooOOOOOoooooooooooo
CAUSEWAY coast surfer Bryan McAuley achieved the best ever result for an Irish competitor when placing sixth in the Bodyboard event at the World Championships which concluded in Lisbon on Sunday.
The 18-year-old, competing in his first major final, produced a superb performance against competitors who all had the edge on him in experience.
Portrush-native Tania Ward narrowly missed out on a place in the Women’s Bodyboard final. With eight minutes to go, she looked certain to reach the final but a disappointing final wave cost her dearly.
Ward placed seventh overall.
The Irish team placed 15th overall – this country’s best ever finish – which guarantees seeding for the next championships.
ooooooooooooOOOOOoooooooooooo
NORTHERN Ireland have had little luck in Group 13 of the UEFA U16 championships, drawing difficult opposition in Switzerland and France, with the added hurdle of facing both away first next week.
Northern Ireland U16 squad: A Kerr, C Hagan (Wolves), G McCord (Linfield), M Clyde (Wolves), S Adams (Cliftonville), W Buchanan (Bolton), R McCann (Rangers), B McElholme (Leyton Orient), S Parkhouse (Man City), M Graham (Coventry City), J Willis (Wolves), A Mannus (Linfield), A Dickson (Wolves), S Long (St Andrew’s), D Hickinson, M Rogan (both Coleraine), G McCargo (Leeds Utd), M Smyth (Ballymena Utd).
Standbys: A Millar (Ipswich Town), C McCurdy (Brighton), D Nixon (Glentoran), N McConnell (Linfield), S Gordon (Southampton), N Magowan (Comber Rec), M Davison (Linfield), C Gilmore (Wolves), N Dickson (St Andrew’s).