Ballinderry Shamrocks

And he charted an often successful but occasionally controversial course through the world of GAA with a smile on his face.

Could Derry make an impression in this year’s All-Ireland football championship? Paddy Crozier’s side produced indifferent performances during the league but these displays were laced with hints of excellence. Up front, the new-look Oak Leaf County have more than their fair share of potential match winners. One of these is 2006 Ballinderry captain Conleth Gilligan, who very decently agreed to answer Gerry Robinson’s questions in the latest of Hogan Stand’s championship specials…He’s back in the Derry senior football fold and centre half forward Conleth Gilligan is determined to mark the ’07 championship season with some long-overdue silverware. Gilligan’s name may not roll off the tongue as easily as that of Paddy Bradley or Enda Muldoon in households nationwide, but Derry people will tell you that the gifted No.11 is as key a component in their team. Gilligan captained Ballinderry all the way to the Ulster club final last year, wherein they were pipped by eventual All-Ireland winners Crossmaglen Rangers. He was an integral part of Ballinderry’s 2002 All-Ireland breakthrough, picking up five Man of the Match awards along the way as the Derry standard bearers beat the best of the rest in the land. This year, more than ever, Conleth Gilligan has a point to prove, which could make the Foylesiders a dangerous proposition in the race for the Anglo-Celt Cup. After being left off the county panel last year, the Ballinderry captain is chomping at the bit in his desire to lead the Oak Leafers to the top of the pile in the most difficult province of all. Amazingly, Derry have failed to reach an Ulster SFC final since 1999 – Gilligan’s debut season – but their unsung ’40 yards’ man believes they have what it takes to come good this summer.