ANTRIM minor hurling manager Collie Murphy is hoping last week’s U17 All-Ireland success will inspire his side as they begin the defence of their Ulster title against Down on Sunday. The Saffrons claimed victory over North Cork in the Celtic Challenge final in Carlow last Saturday. With a large overlap of players, the competition served […]
Murphy hoping minors can build on U17 glory
Barnes confident he has the skills to claim first pro title
PADDY Barnes believes his greater skills will be the deciding factor when he tackles Silvio Olteanu at the Waterfront Hall tomorrow night. It may only be the North Belfast man’s third professional contest, but his vast experience of amateur boxing at the elite level has given him the confidence that he can break into the […]
McGettigan’s charges hoping to chop down Oak Leafers
WHILE the Ulster Senior Football Championship started off with something of a whimper, the Minor Championship has produced a series of thrilling encounters. Antrim’s dramatic extra-time victory over defending provincial champions, Donegal was among the pick of the first round games and the Saffrons will be aiming to repeat their heroics when they take on […]
Fitzsimons backs call for ‘B’ Championship
AS the gap between the elite teams and the chasing pack in Gaelic football continues to widen, Antrim senior football manager Frank Fitzsimons feels the option of introducing some form of a tiered system to the Championship must be explored. Antrim exited the Ulster Championship at the hands of Donegal, suffering a 16-point defeat in […]
Barnes braced for first major test of pro career
PADDY Barnes insists he is ready for what he concedes is a big step up in class when he takes on Romanian Silvio Olteanu in his first 10-round bout for the vacant WBO European flyweight title. After two fairly forgettable outings, Barnes will be hoping his fledgling pro career takes off at the Waterfront Hall on […]
‘Hylo’ scores stunning victory
PAUL Hyland Jnr grabbed his big chance with both hands as he claimed the IBF lightweight title with a stunning first-round stoppage win over Adam Dingsdale. The Lagmore man forged a reputation for being in all-action dust-ups, but on Saturday at the SSE Arena, Dingsdale wasn’t afforded the opportunity to fight fire with fire as […]