THE draw for next year's Dr McKenna Cup has been kind to Derry with two of their three group games at home.
This early season competition gives counties a first opportunity to run the rule over their panels in a competitive setting.
Derry have been drawn in a group with Fermanagh, Donegal and UUJ. New Derry boss Damian Cassidy will see in charges in ac
tion away to Fermanagh on Sunday, January 4, then its home to UUJ at Ballinascreen on January 11 and its home again on the Wednesday evening with Donegal the opposition.
Derry will have an early opportunity to avenge their shock Ulster championship semi-final defeat to Fermanagh while they face tough opponents in current Sigerson Cup champions UUJ. Meanwhile all games against neighbours Donegal tend to have some tension to them, Derry will be hoping they can repeat their Ulster championship first round win again.
Not all county managers, including Derry's new boss Damian Cassidy, are totally in favour of giving carte blanche to the University sides in respect of county players.
It's a particular problem for Cassidy as he may wish to call on upwards of ten students for his new panel come 2009.
The likes of Coleraine's Barry and Sean Leo McGoldrick, the Kielts, James and Charlie from Kilrea, Dermot McBride, Chris McKaigue, Brian Óg McAlary and Joe O'Kane among others, will all be called upon by their respective University sides while Cassidy may also want to avail of their services.
Certainly it's a dilemma for the young players who want to stake a claim for their county at senior level but realise that that their University career is short and a shot at a Sigerson medal is a treasured but fleeting opportunity.
It seems that in Cassidy's book county come first and some players may be forced into making a very uncomfortable decision when the crunch comes in a couple of weeks time.
Ulster League final date for Camogs
EOGHAN Rua's senior camogie side face their long awaited Ulster league final this Saturday afternoon when they face Ballymacnab, Armagh.
This will be the last opportunity of the season for a senior team from the Coleraine club to annex some silverware.
It would be a fitting way to celebrate at the club's Annual Presentation Dinner in the Magherabuoy House Hotel on Saturday evening.
This will be the Coleraine camogie side's second attempt this season to annex an Ulster title as they lost out narrowly to Loughgiel in the Intermediate championship final earlier in the season. A venue and time for Saturday's final has not been announced by the Ulster camogie authority.
Derry presentations success for club
ALMOST 600 guests attended the Annual Presentation of Awards on behalf of the Derry County Board in the Tullyglass House hotel on Thursday night. County
Chairman Seamus McCloy introduced special guest speakers Tom Daly, Ulster Council President and Director General of the GAA Pauric Duffy.
Among the first presentations made on the evening was that of Ulster Under-21 hurling championship cup to captain Mark Craig along with medals to all panel members, inclUding Eoghan Rua's Sean Leo McGoldrick and Niall Holley.
The successful management team of Brian McGilligan, Sean McCloskey, and Michael McCullagh were then welcomed on stage to receive small tokens of their achievements.
Among the special awards made was one to Eoghan Rua's Sean McGoldrick for 'outstanding service to club' in recognition of his countless hours spent coaching across every level from under-age up to senior at his club. The 'club of the year' award went to Ballinderry while the prestigious An Curadh Mhir, "the champion's portion" was presented to lifetime servant to Derry hurling, Liam Hinphey.
Eoghan Rua Lotto: Sunday, November 23. Congratulations to Jackpot winner of £6,500 Ryan Montgomery (Coleraine). Numbers – 3; 12; 18; 21. Sunday, November 30: Jackpot £1,800.
