Decent, if not overly impressive from Derry. Butchered numerous scoring opportunities, by adding an extra hand pass instead of fisting/tapping it over the bar from 21yrds out. But its league football and getting the wins are what really matters.
Tyrone were well in it at half time, silly frees give them the opportunity to stay in touch. Morgan's free off the ground in the first half was superbly judged. Not sure why they didn't kick on in the second half. They didn't go after Scullions kicks outs as much as I would've expected as well.
Ref wasn't fantastic, looked up once and spotted a bit of shirt pulling, give the free and then it never happened again for the duration of the game. And the curse that is two or three players surrounding the player in possession. Sometimes its over carrying and sometimes is it a free for the player in possession. No consistency in that at all.
For Derry, Baker and Murphy getting more experience at this level is a good thing. I'd go so far as to say Murphy's performances had an influence on Toner when he came on. When Toner got the ball, he turned and headed for goal instead of maintaining possession with an easy backward handpass. Loughlin had a better outing as well. Cassidy wasn't at his best.
Maybe some Screen bias, but I think that Scullion is the best option to have outside of Lynch. He hasn't had the opportunity to play much football in the last couple of years due to county commitments. I think the relegation playoff against Lavey and the final league game against Cork, were the only two games he played between January and July last year. He played one McKenna group game so far this year, and 15mins yesterday. Aside from one kick out over the sideline (Morgan did that too) and one kick pass that went astray (Lynch did that too) he seemed comfortable in that role. Don't forget there are some on here who would've liked to see Lynch replaced over that last couple of year.
If Lynch and McKinless are out for a run of games, I'd say McFaul would move to CHB and then a fight for place in the forwards between Emmett Bradley, Declan Cassidy, Niall Toner and Cormac Murphy. Which is a much better place than we were last year.
Tyrone were well in it at half time, silly frees give them the opportunity to stay in touch. Morgan's free off the ground in the first half was superbly judged. Not sure why they didn't kick on in the second half. They didn't go after Scullions kicks outs as much as I would've expected as well.
Ref wasn't fantastic, looked up once and spotted a bit of shirt pulling, give the free and then it never happened again for the duration of the game. And the curse that is two or three players surrounding the player in possession. Sometimes its over carrying and sometimes is it a free for the player in possession. No consistency in that at all.
For Derry, Baker and Murphy getting more experience at this level is a good thing. I'd go so far as to say Murphy's performances had an influence on Toner when he came on. When Toner got the ball, he turned and headed for goal instead of maintaining possession with an easy backward handpass. Loughlin had a better outing as well. Cassidy wasn't at his best.
Maybe some Screen bias, but I think that Scullion is the best option to have outside of Lynch. He hasn't had the opportunity to play much football in the last couple of years due to county commitments. I think the relegation playoff against Lavey and the final league game against Cork, were the only two games he played between January and July last year. He played one McKenna group game so far this year, and 15mins yesterday. Aside from one kick out over the sideline (Morgan did that too) and one kick pass that went astray (Lynch did that too) he seemed comfortable in that role. Don't forget there are some on here who would've liked to see Lynch replaced over that last couple of year.
If Lynch and McKinless are out for a run of games, I'd say McFaul would move to CHB and then a fight for place in the forwards between Emmett Bradley, Declan Cassidy, Niall Toner and Cormac Murphy. Which is a much better place than we were last year.