Gaelic Games

Image source, Presseye

Storm Darragh has wiped out Saturday's entire scheduled Irish Premiership programme, with all six scheduled games called off because of the adverse weather.

The match between Coleraine and Portadown, which was to start at 17:00 GMT, was the last of the games to fall victim of the high winds.

It was called off about one hour and 10 minutes before kick-off.

The game between Dungannon Swifts and leaders Linfield was called off just over an hour before the scheduled 15:00 GMT kick-off and came after Cliftonville's home game against Carrick Rangers was postponed.

The fixtures between Glentoran and Ballymena United at the Oval, Glenavon and Crusaders at Mourneview Park and Loughgall and Larne at Lakeview Park were called off on Saturday morning.

The match between the Glens and the Sky Blues was postponed following a pitch inspection at 10:30 GMT, with the games between the Lurgan Blues and the Crues and the Villagers and the Invermen following later.

Ulster Intermediate final off

It was revealed on Friday that Saturday's Ulster Club Intermediate Football Championship final between Arva and Ballinderry at Healy Park had been postponed.

Cavan's Arva and Derry side Ballinderry were due to face each other in Omagh at 17:00 GMT.

However, in a short statement on Friday evening, Ulster GAA said the match has been postponed "due to the amber weather warning".

The game has been refixed for Saturday, 14 December at the same venue with a 17:00 GMT throw-in.

An amber warning for wind has been issued for Northern Ireland from 01:00 GMT on Saturday until 21:00 on Saturday.

Image source, Inpho

New Derry senior football manager Paddy Tally has added All-Ireland winning strength and conditioning coach Cairbre O Caireallain to his backroom team.

O Caireallain joins the Oak Leafers with an impressive CV having previously helped Tipperary and Limerick to All-Ireland hurling titles.

Belfast native O Caireallain, a former Antrim underage hurler, also had a spell at Arsenal, where he worked with the youth academy and helped the women's team - which included Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe - win the FA Cup in 2016.

After returning to Ireland, O Caireallain joined the Tipperary hurlers and helped the county win the 2019 All-Ireland title under Liam Sheedy.

Having joined Limerick in 2022, two more Liam MacCarthy Cups followed, in 2022 and 2023.

O Caireallain is the brother of Naoise O Caireallain, who is better known as Moglai Bap from rap group Kneecap.

Derry ended a four-month search for Mickey Harte's replacement earlier this month with Tally's appointment.

In addition to O Caireallain, Tally's backroom team includes. former Derry captain Kevin McGuckin, Paul McFlynn and Paul McIver

Image source, Inpho

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness says he is "delighted" to have the Ulster county's former captain Michael Murphy at his disposal after the five-time All Star recently ended his inter-county retirement.

The 35-year-old Glenswilly man had called time on playing county football in November 2022 but has opted to make himself available again.

"We're delighted to have him back. Great in terms of what he brings on the pitch but also off the pitch as well," explained McGuinness in an interview with Donegal TV at a Donegal Association event at the Hilton Wembley.

"[He's] a person I know very well and understand very well, an incredibly high football IQ, so absolutely delighted Michael has made that decision and looking forward to working with him next year."

"Hopefully it’s going to be a very important part of 2025."

In his first season of his second spell as Donegal boss, McGuinness guided his charges to an Ulster SFC success, before bowing out to Galway at the semi-final stage of the All-Ireland Championship.

"We’ll be welcoming other players [as well as Murphy] into the fold for 2025 as well, so we’re excited about that.

"We want to try and build now and keep developing, keep growing as a group and see where it takes us."

The 52-year-old is now well focused on preparations for 2025.

"You want to try and bring in new ideas every year, looking at new things, being open to what can improve us.

"For me this is the most enjoyable time of the year because you have a chance to reflect on where we are at, whereas when the season starts it’s chaotic and you’re chasing your tail most of the time."