Ballinderry's Gareth McKinless reflects on the club's recent struggles and expresses optimism about their future.
Ballinderry captain Gareth McKinless says the Derry club ‘took the foot off the gas’ for a while - but the All Star defender is sure the former All-Ireland winners are on the way back. Ballinderry won their All-Ireland in 2002, succeeding Crossmolina, who they face in Sunday’s intermediate final. But after three Derry titles in a row between 2011 and 2013, and another All-Ireland semi-final in 2014, Ballinderry slipped back.
They ended up being relegated to the second tier within Derry last year. Derry star McKinless, part of that three-in-a-row team, said: “We had a great time in the noughties and beyond that, won a lot of Championships, probably should have won more. “The same as anything, sometimes you just take the foot off the gas. We didn’t have the same quality of players coming through as well and that’s down to a number of things in terms of within the club. 'The biggest thing probably is the younger lads have come through. We got seven last year, we got a few more this year and we’ve got another few more coming next year. So we’re starting to produce more quality players.
Ballinderry All-Ireland Gaelic Football Derry Intermediate Final
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gareth McKinless: Ballinderry 'took the foot off the gas' after All-Ireland winThe Shamrocks were All-Ireland Club Senior champions in 2002 and will contest the Intermediate final on Sunday against another former senior champion Crossmolina of Mayo
Read more »
Arva v Ballinderry: Time, TV, betting info and more on the Ulster Club IFC finalThe champions of Cavan take on the Derry winners in the final of the Ulster Club Intermediate Championship final after last weekend's postponement due to Storm Darragh
Read more »
Ballinderry to face Austin Stacks in All-Ireland Club IFC semi-finalBallinderry will take on Austin Stacks in the All-Ireland Club IFC semi-final on January 4th.
Read more »
Austin Stacks v Ballinderry: Time, TV, betting on All-Ireland Club semi-finalFormer senior All-Ireland champions Austin Stacks and Ballinderry meet for a place in the All-Ireland Intermediate decider this afternoon
Read more »
Austin Stacks vs Ballinderry: All-Ireland Club IFC Semi-Final PreviewFormer All-Ireland Senior champions Austin Stacks and Ballinderry clash in the All-Ireland Club Intermediate Football Championship semi-final. Austin Stacks, relegated two seasons ago, are seeking to maintain Kerry's dominance in the intermediate ranks, while Ballinderry overcame last year's Junior champions to reach the semi-final.
Read more »
Shocking number of Yorkshire criminals who took part in summer riotsA total of 417 individuals have been sentenced for offences in connection with the riots and disorder that broke out in parts of the country
Read more »