Rookie Ben McKinless loyal to goalkeeping union

Rookie Derry goalkeeper Ben McKinless showed solid defensive instincts yesterday, backing the county’s established number one over his blunder against Tipperary last summer.

Thomas Mallon’s mistake in the fourth round All-Ireland SFC qualifier shoot-out at Kingspan Breffni Park was a game-changer.

He slid whilst taking a kick-out, hitting the ball straight to Kevin O’Halloran who drilled the ball right past him to help Tipp to a memorable 1-21 to 2-17 victory.